Bournemouth’s new shirt sponsor, betting brand bj88, offers the option to bet on live cockfighting in Vietnam, where gambling is illegal. The brand also has links to Bavet, a Cambodian border city notorious for cyber slavery compounds.
By Andy Brown with additional reporting by Phillipe Auclair
WARNING – contains images of cockfighting
On 24 July, AFC Bournemouth announced that betting brand bj88 will be the club’s shirt sponsor for the next two seasons. “The club is excited to be partnering with bj88 for what is a record-breaking deal”, said commercial director Rob Mitchell in a statement where bj88 was quoted saying: “We are truly excited and honoured to agree this important and mutually beneficial partnership with such a historic and globally respected footballing brand as AFC Bournemouth.”
A fact that wasn’t part of the press statement is that bj88 offers the option to bet on live cockfighting.
In addition, bj88 targets Vietnam, where gambling is illegal as is cockfighting. The sponsorship is also being used to promote gambling in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Gambling is illegal in Bangladesh and Pakistan, and many Indian states have laws specifically prohibiting online gambling.
Bournemouth’s new sponsor is also part of a network of gambling brands with connections to Moc Bai Casino in Bavet. The Cambodian border cgity is notorious for housing illegal gambling and online scam operations, often staffed using fearsome cyber slavery...
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