Dutch football clubs face a €70 million black hole when new rules banning sponsorship by online betting firms comes into force at the end of the season.

The ban is part of a package of measures which the government brought in to protect vulnerable players from online gambling, which was only legalised in the Netherlands in 2021.

All but one of the 34 professional clubs in the Netherlands have signed sponsorship deals with online betting firms in the last four years, with the exception of Roda JC Kerkrade, which refused on ethical grounds.

Bas Raemakers of Eredivisie CV, which represents the commercial interest of the 18 top-flight clubs, told AD.nl that the clubs stand to lose €40 million in direct sponsorship and another €30 million from other income streams, such as pitchside advertising, when the law takes effect on July 1. “The impact is severe,” he said.

Sports economist Job Gulikers told FD.nl smaller clubs were likely to bear the brunt of the losses, such as PEC Zwolle, whose €1.5 million a year deal with Circus.nl accounts for 10% of its total turnover.

“Because smaller clubs bring in less income, one sponsor can make a huge difference,” he said. “These companies come knocking on the door with big bags of money, which makes it hard to resist them.”

The football association KNVB has described the ban as a “bloodletting” for Dutch sport. “Whereas other countries have seen income from media rights, sponsors and foreign investors increase, in the Netherlands we have had more political restrictions imposed,” a spokesman said.