The illegal betting black market could take £1bn in Premier League wagers within a year, according to analysis published ahead of tonight's season kick-off.

The warning comes as the Premier League returns this weekend, with all 20 clubs having voluntarily barred gambling and casino brands from the lucrative front-of-shirt sponsorship slot.

Gambling brands - not all of which are regulated in the UK - remain free to appear elsewhere on kits, and many have shifted to shirt sleeves and training wear. However, there are fears that changes to gambling duty undertaken by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves could drive fans toward the unregulated black market through attractive-looking promotional material. Wagers placed there are often not secure, and bets do not always return the promised funds. The concern for clubs and regulators is not just where brands appear, but whether fans are being directed toward operators that sit outside the UK consumer protections that licensed firms must follow.

Gambling duty is being hiked from April despite concerns over the futures of a number of sports.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: "Millions of football fans will enjoy a bet safely with regulated operators this season, backing their team week in, week out.

"But the criminal black market is looking to cash in too, taking millions of pounds on every round of matches while offering customers none of the protections found in the regulated sector.

"These operators pay no tax, fund nothing and answer to no one. Every pound they take is a pound lost to British sport and to the Treasury."

Premier League gambling changes

On the front of shirts, gambling brands have largely been replaced by tech, web and financial firms, with the likes of Aston Villa signing Visit Rwanda and Newcastle United partnering with Knox Hydration.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has come under fire from some within the betting industry after putting the terms "betting shops" and "dodgy businesses" in the same X post when discussing a crackdown on rogue operators.

One industry source told City AM: "If the PM really wanted to tackle dodgy business he'd go all out to tackle illegal operators.

"They're linked to organised crime, they hit the jackpot with Labour's tax hikes and they're growing like crazy."

Hurst added: "Licensed operators are regulated in Britain and follow strict rules on consumer protection, safer gambling and robust financial safeguards. Illegal black market operators do not. They undermine player protections, avoid taxes, ignore safer gambling standards and put consumers at serious risk.

"With illegal betting on the Premier League on course to reach £1bn a season, we support action that protects fans, upholds standards and keeps customers safe within the regulated market."