The UK Gambling Commission is taking legal action against Sorare, the official partner of the English Premier League, for allegedly offering gambling products without a license. The case will be heard on October 4 in the Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Sorare, known for its non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of EPL players used in a free online fantasy soccer game, allows users to purchase cards with cryptocurrency and compete for cash prizes, tickets to games, and autographed jerseys. The company signed a four-year agreement worth £30m ($40m) in January 2023 to provide these NFTs.
The UKGC has been investigating Sorare since 2021 to determine if it was providing unlicensed gambling products to consumers. Despite the allegations, a spokesperson for Sorare stated that the company will contest the charges and denies that its products qualify as gambling under UK law. They claim that the regulator has misunderstood the nature of their business.
In addition to its partnership with the EPL, Sorare has collaborations with other major sports leagues such as La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, MLS, MLB, and the NBA.
Overall, Sorare is facing legal challenges from the UKGC for allegedly offering unlicensed gambling products, but the company maintains its innocence and plans to defend itself against the accusations.