Families who lost loved ones to gambling addiction have reacted with anger after the government’s decision to delay its gambling white paper allowed three Premier League football clubs to sign new shirt sponsorship deals with betting firms.

The new agreements mean that eight of England’s top football clubs now have front-of-shirt gambling sponsors, while others have separate deals for sleeve sponsorship, logos on training kits and stadium advertising.

Charles Ritchie, co-founder of the charity Gambling with Lives, which supports and campaigns for families affected by gambling-related suicide, said: “We need an end to all gambling advertising. The delays to the white paper are disgraceful.”