With its UK website facing closure, Stake’s F1 partnership with Sauber could be in jeopardy as Audi’s 2026 entry looms.
Sauber’s title sponsor Stake is under fire after the UK Gambling Commission ordered the closure of its UK operations, following an investigation into a controversial social media video featuring the betting company’s branding.
The regulatory body ruled that Stake.uk.com must shut down by March 11, 2025, putting the company’s F1 and Premier League partnerships under scrutiny.
Why Was Stake Ordered to Shut Down in the UK?
The Gambling Commission launched an investigation after a widely viewed video on X (formerly Twitter) surfaced, showing the Stake-branded logo alongside an adult actress outside Nottingham Trent University.
The commission’s official statement outlined its actions:
“TGP [Stake’s UK operator] has previously been the subject of enforcement action, and after a meeting with the commission, they have stated they will immediately stop accepting new registrations to the Stake.uk.com platform and remove redirection links from the main Stake website.”
“Final shutdown of the Great Britain site will take place by 11 March 2025.”
How Will This Impact Sauber and Its F1 Presence?
Stake, which became Sauber’s title sponsor in 2023, has already had to swap its branding for its streaming subsidiary Kick at several races, including:
- Australia
- Spain
- Belgium
- Qatar
- Abu Dhabi
With the British Grand Prix at Silverstone coming up in July, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sauber remove Stake’s branding entirely during the event.
Audi’s 2026 Takeover: The End of the Stake Partnership?
While Stake’s immediate future in F1 remains uncertain, the Audi-Sauber takeover in 2026 likely means this partnership is on borrowed time.
Audi’s entry into F1 includes a major investment from the Qatar Investment Authority, meaning a Qatari brand could replace Stake’s prominent sponsorship presence on the first Audi-branded F1 cars.
If that happens, Audi will be able to distance itself from further Stake-based controversies, ensuring a cleaner image as it prepares for its high-profile 2026 debut.
Could This Affect Everton’s Stake Sponsorship?
Stake’s troubles aren’t limited to F1—Premier League club Everton, which also features Stake as a shirt sponsor, will be approached by the Gambling Commission regarding the risks of promoting unlawful gambling websites.
With the UK government cracking down on gambling sponsorships in sports, Stake’s long-term viability in both Formula 1 and football looks increasingly unstable.
What’s Next?
- March 11, 2025 – Stake.uk.com will officially shut down
- British Grand Prix (July 2025) – Possible Stake branding removal from Sauber’s cars
- 2026 – Audi’s takeover of Sauber, likely ending Stake’s F1 involvement
With Audi preparing to reshape Sauber’s identity, this latest controversy could mark the beginning of the end for Stake’s involvement in Formula 1.
