Government of Pakistan bans sponsorship from betting firms using surrogate company setups

[MenInG]

A sub-company of a betting website is involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a sponsor and the government of Pakistan has become active over a potential threat to the reputation of the country and the game.

While talking to this correspondent, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination of Pakistan, Fehmida Mirza has asked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take notice as betting can't be accepted on PSL matches.

According to details, 'Dafa News' is one of the sponsors in the Pakistan Super League. A logo of this company is also being painted on the ground and boundary advertisements are also being placed.

After the research of Express correspondent, it is the sub-company of a foreign betting website "Dafabet".

A betting link was also on the first page of the website till yesterday where users can bet on PSL matches. Express has tried to seek PCB's stance on this but there has not been any correspondence. Media Director Samiul Hasan Burney agreed to respond but he has not.

Meanwhile, Dafa News has removed the betting window from the main page but the option is still there if one clicks on the social media links.

"Betting can not be acceptable during the PSL matches as it damages the reputation of the game in the country," Fehmida said.

"If there will be bets on PSL matches, it would be hard to stop the players from the trend of getting involved in fixing too. PCB must take action earnestly to stop these incidents," she added.

Remember, earlier in 2021, a betting company 'Sky247' was part of the sponsors of the home series with a slight renaming. The Karachi Test between Pakistan and South Africa was also streamed live on the betting website. It was stopped by the PCB after Express pointed out.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...r-pcb-partners-with-betting-website-for-psl-7

 

[Major]

How does betting damage the reputation? Many of our politicians and administrators have no idea what they talk about.

They hear the word betting or alcahol and all of a sudden everyone has their panties in a bunch...

There is difference between legal and illegal betting.

Just because betting exists doesnt mean that a match is fixed....

Betting and fixing are not even the same thing... Betting takes places everywhere and all most on everything. It is legal and tacbale in many countries

 

[boomboomcheema]

Threat to reputation of the country ? Lol. These administrators don't do any useful work and just find these issues to show how patriotic they are.

Betting companies sponsor so many football teams and many teams have logos of Betting Companies on there Jerseys, also betting advertising is all over the screen during the matches. Don't know in what world do these administrators live , they think a betting company sponsoring means players will start to fix matches.

Always trying to prove how pure they are.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Government should stay as far away from PSL as possible. Nothing good has ever come out of government meddling in things. Government getting involved here is the only thing that’s going to hurt Pakistan and PSL’s reputation here.

 

[silentkiller187]

Don't mix politics and sports, this kind of attitude is holding pakistan back

 

[MenInG]

This is being driven by some journalists too.

My personal view is that we should not allow any betting companies anywhere near our cricket.

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is being driven by some journalists too.

My personal view is that we should not allow any betting companies anywhere near our cricket.

Betting companies sponsor or sponsored teams like Real, Bayern, Man U Arsenal Barca Spurs.

They even sponsor cricket tournaments like the CSA T20 tournament.

Its not that they are fixing the results.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Betting companies sponsor or sponsored teams like Real, Bayern, Man U Arsenal Barca Spurs.

They even sponsor cricket tournaments like the CSA T20 tournament.

Its not that they are fixing the results.

Betting is illegal in Pakistan and prohibited by the state religion. It is illogical to have something that is illegal as a sponsor.

 

[Concerned]

Tiktok one of the main sponsors. Were they not banned in Pakistan due to spreading immorality?

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Even apps like Dream11 and My Circle 11 are also betting companies and are sponsors of IPL. So there is difference between betting and fixing which people need to understand.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Just saying, if they are going to take down DafaBet (and rightly so), then TikTok sponsor should also be removed, as it provides no/ very little benefits for 99.9% of people, especially young kids. And so, there also shouldn't be any music in the games, and no anthems. But this will never happen.

 

[Ryw]

This is comedy drama, there is betting in all tape ball matches all over Pakistan, some of our international players are proven "Juvari"
Sarfraz Nawaz was screaming betting mafia within the team, so miss Fahmida Mirza decided to pinpoint PSL 7, I see some political motive behind this

 

[MenInG]

Karachi, 30 January 2021: Multan Sultans, who are sponsored by Wolf777 News, and TransGroup, partners of DafaNews, have issued the following statements after the Pakistan Cricket Board approached them for clarifications following speculation that their partners were promoting betting/gambling through their respective websites:

Multan Sultans: “Wolf777 News is a sports website that is trying to compete on a regional level with other sports news websites. Multan Sultans categorically denies the speculation that Wolf777 News has any connection to betting/gambling nor there are links or tabs on its portal to any betting/gambling website. Our association is with Wolf777News only.

“As a responsible entity, we are aware of our obligations and will neither be associated with a partner that promotes betting or gambling nor will support such venture.”

TransGroup: “DafaNews is a fast growing online news portal, which operates through digital app only. DafaNews has successfully sponsored other cricket events in the Middle East, while strictly abiding by the law of the land as well as the terms of the agreement.

“We contacted DafaNews to clarify their position on betting and they categorically stated and provided us documents showing that DafaNews is strictly a news website and are not engaged in any betting business. However, they also admitted that inadvertently and due to a technical oversight, the link to a betting website remained enabled on the opening day of the event, which was disabled after the first match.

“On behalf of DafaNews, TransGroup also offers its regrets to the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan cricket for any misunderstanding.”

https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/multan-sultans-and-transgroup-statements.html

 

[cricketjoshila]

Betting is illegal in Pakistan and prohibited by the state religion. It is illogical to have something that is illegal as a sponsor.

Thats why the proxy sponsorship by dafa news and not dafa bet.

 

[gazza619]

This is being driven by some journalists too.

My personal view is that we should not allow any betting companies anywhere near our cricket.

A sponsorship opportunity will be missed.

We are ok to be part of an away series where the sponsors is a betting company then why make a fuss at home?

 

[MenInG]

A sponsorship opportunity will be missed.

We are ok to be part of an away series where the sponsors is a betting company then why make a fuss at home?

Because we have a choice.

Why support an industry that by its definition is built to destroy lives?

Anyways that is my opinion

 

[Major]

Betting is illegal in Pakistan and prohibited by the state religion. It is illogical to have something that is illegal as a sponsor.

Lol.

I live 10 mins away from Pakistans own home mad Alcahol brewary called murree brewary.

Funny how the lines get drawn and how we like to bringin in the state religion..

Having a company manufacture drinks which are illegal in same country is allowed, but sponsering of a betting company is problematic....

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Lol.

I live 10 mins away from Pakistans own home mad Alcahol brewary called murree brewary.

Funny how the lines get drawn and how we like to bringin in the state religion..

Having a company manufacture drinks which are illegal in same country is allowed, but sponsering of a betting company is problematic....

Whats funny?

Betting is illegal categorically.

Alcohol is legal and available for purchase under specific licenses.

Prohibiting illegal or immoral activities from sponsoring teams is quite normal in many countries.

If you want to make a thread regarding should gambling be legal in Pakistan then thats a seperate topic. Or if you feel so strongly you should petition your local politician to help legalise it.

However, under the current rules it makes sense for the government to be wary of allowing illegal companies a backdoor into sponsoring teams and advertising illegal activities.

 

[Major]

Whats funny?

Betting is illegal categorically.

Alcohol is legal and available for purchase under specific licenses.

Prohibiting illegal or immoral activities from sponsoring teams is quite normal in many countries.

If you want to make a thread regarding should gambling be legal in Pakistan then thats a seperate topic. Or if you feel so strongly you should petition your local politician to help legalise it.

However, under the current rules it makes sense for the government to be wary of allowing illegal companies a backdoor into sponsoring teams and advertising illegal activities.

And news channels are also legal in pakistan

 

[MenInG]

Seems to be the case in the Pakistan v England series also

 

[MenInG]

Based on news report about videos of PCB offices, ground and National High Performance Center (NHPC) which were uploaded by a user on the social media app TikTok at different times.

PCB has initiated disciplinary proceedings against employee over viral videos and photographs of from inside the National High Performance Centre Lahore.

As per PCB:

"We conducted an in-house investigation after videos and photographs from inside the National High Performance Centre were posted by an individual on his private social media platforms - he gentleman [who posted the videos and photographs on social media] was a PCB employee's guest."

"The PCB has initiated disciplinary proceedings against that employee, the individual (who is not a PCB employee) has apologised for his actions and removed the unsanctioned and unauthorised content from his social media platforms"

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Betting companies sponsor or sponsored teams like Real, Bayern, Man U Arsenal Barca Spurs.

They even sponsor cricket tournaments like the CSA T20 tournament.

Its not that they are fixing the results.

Just because it exists in other places doesn’t mean it doesn’t already impose an ethical issue. E.g. Clubs will advertise SkyBet a lot when advertising their own team. As per a recent article, these clubs were incentivised by how much each clubs fans put money into SkyBet. And given that a betting company’s profitability lies in customers losing their money, essentially these clubs are directly benefiting from their fans losing money.

You can dress it up as it being no different to a club sponsoring any other company where you spend your disposable income. The difference is the many pitfalls gambling brings, including addictive behaviour, mental health issues and financial ruin.

So thus, whilst posters can comment on other sponsors in classic ‘what about-ism’ about the merits of a gambling company sponsorship, in a vacuum, it’s a terrible industry to be associated with.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Gambling companies Sportsbet, TAB and bet365 taking bets on cricket matches involving minors

Three of the biggest gambling companies in Australia are offering bets on international cricket matches involving underage players, prompting outrage from the country's child protection watchdog.

ABC Investigations has discovered Sportsbet, TAB and bet365 have been offering bets on this month's inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, including last Wednesday's match between Australia and Sri Lanka in Benoni.

Almost half of the Australian players were aged under 18, including 15-year-old Maggie Clark and 16-year-old Lucy Hamilton.

All but three of the 11 players on Sri Lanka's team were aged under 18.

National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds said the betting was an exploitation of children and called for laws banning gambling on sporting events featuring minors.

"Clearly, kids are being exploited for profit," she said.

"Young people are basically being used for profit by these online gambling businesses. They are businesses making a profit on our kids."

Sportsbet declined a request for an interview. However, in a statement, it said it "works hard to ensure we comply with all relevant regulatory and legal requirements".

"Sportsbet does not provide betting markets for under 18 years of age competitions or events."

TAB and bet365, which is a Cricket Australia sponsor, did not respond to requests for comment.

A parent of one of the players told the ABC she was concerned to learn the tournament was being bet on.

"They're not racehorses … she's not a greyhound," the parent said. "It's kids' sport.

"I'd hate it if the motivation behind holding tournaments was because of the money from gambling rather than for the sport."

Full article can be accessed below:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01...ng-bets-on-matches-involving-minors/101872892

 

[MenInG]

Seems the same issue in PSL 8

==

Former Pakistan cricketer, Rashid Latif, has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allowing domestic teams and PSL franchises to sign a betting company as a sponsor.

Karachi Kings have signed 1XBAT as their Titanium sponsor for the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 1XBAT is a surrogate brand of a betting website, 1xbet, which is illegal in Pakistan, India and other sub-continent countries.

Defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, have also signed a new partnership with the online sports news portal, Melbat. However, if you search Melbat’s name on Google, the first search results display melbet.com, which is a betting website. Betting websites often use surrogate websites in guise of news to promote betting businesses.

Former cricketer took to Twitter, to express his displeasure over the move after the recent ban on Pakistan cricketer, Asif Afridi.

“Asif Afridi banned from all cricket for two years! On one hand, players are banned for corruption but betting companies are encouraged as sponsors to domestic teams/events by cricket authorities,” tweeted Latif.

Whereas, Chief Commercial Officer of Peshawar Zalmi, Nausherwan Effandi, announced on Twitter that his franchise is not looking to partner with any surrogate betting website.

It must be noted, PCB on Tuesday banned Afridi for a period of two years from all cricket after he pleaded guilty as charged for two violations under the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.

CricketPakistan

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Because we have a choice.

Why support an industry that by its definition is built to destroy lives?

Anyways that is my opinion

There are ways to make money using software and mathematics and punish these gambling sites. Sometimes very large amounts of money and it's tax free in the UK.

 

[Maher96]

The irony is the players who have been involved with fixing or have had their names around it are all in KK team.

Amir and Sharjeel certified for fixing.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Seems the same issue in PSL 8

==

Former Pakistan cricketer, Rashid Latif, has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allowing domestic teams and PSL franchises to sign a betting company as a sponsor.

Karachi Kings have signed 1XBAT as their Titanium sponsor for the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 1XBAT is a surrogate brand of a betting website, 1xbet, which is illegal in Pakistan, India and other sub-continent countries.

Defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, have also signed a new partnership with the online sports news portal, Melbat. However, if you search Melbat’s name on Google, the first search results display melbet.com, which is a betting website. Betting websites often use surrogate websites in guise of news to promote betting businesses.

Former cricketer took to Twitter, to express his displeasure over the move after the recent ban on Pakistan cricketer, Asif Afridi.

“Asif Afridi banned from all cricket for two years! On one hand, players are banned for corruption but betting companies are encouraged as sponsors to domestic teams/events by cricket authorities,” tweeted Latif.

Whereas, Chief Commercial Officer of Peshawar Zalmi, Nausherwan Effandi, announced on Twitter that his franchise is not looking to partner with any surrogate betting website.

It must be noted, PCB on Tuesday banned Afridi for a period of two years from all cricket after he pleaded guilty as charged for two violations under the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.

CricketPakistan

A very good point from Rashid Latif

 

[SamNJ]

Some Pakistanis surely have all the ideas on how to choke inflow of money. How is this an issue ? Any company which is doing its business legally should be allowed to sponsor if they win the rights.

 

[Bouncer]

A very good point from Rashid Latif

All this tells me that RL is currently not involved in the KK setup in any way.

In the past he had being involved with KK set up and have been drawing money from them, he will swiftly change his opinion the minute KK offers him some sort of a position with the franchise.

Do you think he would have had the same opinion if he was still involved with KK franchise?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The mental neurosis that ails this country's politicians cannot be comprehended by me personally. You can lie to the people, steal money from the country, commit every kind of fraud and corrupt practice imaginable. But god forbid your national T20 league tries to get a sponsor that just happens to be an online betting company.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's unacceptable in a country that has had issues on the past and a population that can seldom afford such a vice

 

[JattMaula]

Betting is haram anyway.

 

[Major]

Alot of teams have been sponsored now by such companies

 

[ARK Rafay]

Betting is haram anyway.

I saw a lot of Pakistani cricketers in the past (including Babar Azam as of 2020) removing Alcohol logos from their jersey.

Will we see Pakistani Cricketers now refuting to wear jersey that promotes betting/gambling? After all that is haram like Alcohol as well.

 

[cricketjoshila]

May be because these companies pay more.

Someone needs to pay the bills.

 

[MenInG]

May be because these companies pay more.

Someone needs to pay the bills.

And someone needs to think of our afterlives too!

 

[ARK Rafay]

And someone needs to think of our afterlives too!

These will have immediate consequences. On one hand betting is illegal, then you ban cricketers for talking to the bookies, while promoting such products on your premier league.

How many people (including kids) will be intrigued to go and interact with the said websites. (May even get addicted).

Not to mention many of these companies have offshore registration (won't be paying taxes) with shady records.

 

[MenInG]

These will have immediate consequences. On one hand betting is illegal, then you ban cricketers for talking to the bookies, while promoting such products on your premier league.

How many people (including kids) will be intrigued to go and interact with the said websites. (May even get addicted).

Not to mention many of these companies have offshore registration with shady records.

What is amazing is that any google search of these sites takes you straight to the betting links!

A lot of betting sites promote themselves as "sports" sites. Surely PSL marketing men can see through that?

 

[ARK Rafay]

What is amazing is that any google search of these sites takes you straight to the betting links!

A lot of betting sites promote themselves as "sports" sites. Surely PSL marketing men can see through that?

It's called Surrogate advertising. I searched about it last year when DafaNews was a sponsor.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Exactly what’s wrong in getting sponsored by betting sites?
Ohhhhh it’s haram money?

lol seriously?
Who actually earns halal rizq in Pakistan? Is it even possible?

 

[cricketjoshila]

And someone needs to think of our afterlives too!

Bhai ye life nikal jaaye. After life uske baad dekh lenge.

TBH its individual responsibility to not be swayed and look after the after life.

I do not support such surrogate advertising. But its clear that these companies are paying hefty sums.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What is amazing is that any google search of these sites takes you straight to the betting links!

A lot of betting sites promote themselves as "sports" sites. Surely PSL marketing men can see through that?

Last year Sony was filled with ads by these gambling sites. Big bollywood stars advertising for them.

 

[MenInG]

Bhai ye life nikal jaaye. After life uske baad dekh lenge.

TBH its individual responsibility to not be swayed and look after the after life.

I do not support such surrogate advertising. But its clear that these companies are paying hefty sums.

Seems that everyone knows this except the people who are supposed to keep an eye on it!

 

[cricketjoshila]

Seems that everyone knows this except the people who are supposed to keep an eye on it!

Ofcourse they know. But they also count the money.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

All this tells me that RL is currently not involved in the KK setup in any way.

In the past he had being involved with KK set up and have been drawing money from them, he will swiftly change his opinion the minute KK offers him some sort of a position with the franchise.

Do you think he would have had the same opinion if he was still involved with KK franchise?

I have no idea what you are referring to, mainly because I haven't heard of any Rashid Latif-Karachi King Issue.

 

[Major]

Seems that everyone knows this except the people who are supposed to keep an eye on it!

to be fair, we are a country that produces home brewed beer, whiskey and alcahol. The religious gimmick is for politics.

I agree though that these betting sites shouldn't be sponsering us

 

[ExpressPacer]

Big bollywood stars advertising for them.

The Muslim stars too?

I bet they were leading the advertisements lol. )

 

[Saj]

Several senior Pakistani players have expressed their concerns with their respective franchises and the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding betting company logos on their kits.

 

[Saj]

It's called Surrogate advertising. I searched about it last year when DafaNews was a sponsor.

Yes.

Backdoor advertising.

 

[MenInG]

Yes.

Backdoor advertising.

The worrying part is that the PCB and PSL franchises are complicit in this.

 

[world cup captain]

The country is about to collapse and yet we're concerned about the kind of money coming in. At this point, Pakistan should be happy to accept money from Israel if that's what it takes to feed the people.

 

[Saj]

The players who when they play County cricket etc don't have to wear some sponsors logos on their kits are now being told to wear betting sites logos in Pakistan.

Incredible.

 

[superman]

The country is about to collapse and yet we're concerned about the kind of money coming in. At this point, Pakistan should be happy to accept money from Israel if that's what it takes to feed the people.

Would you pimp out a family member to eat or would you rather starve. If you live in Pakistan you should know most people despite their individual vices are against evil. Betting is one of the worst addictions someone could have (read up or try and speak to someone from ga) its worse then drugs and alcohol and is prohibited in our constitution, to go against the constitution would be to go against pakistan. In the UK it would not be acceptable to advertise gay therapy (or whatever its called where they treat homosexuality) even though sodomy is regarded as despicable and a sin in many cultures and religions, they also wouldn’t let you advertise cigarettes even though Alcohol is similarly bad for your health or fast food. On accepting Israel this is shameful whats next sell the blood of kashmiris and then maybe make a giant brothel where we sell all menstruating single women for a few pounds? This isn’t politics its about our constitution and what defines us as a country.

 

[MenInG]

Look the point is that PCB have a duty to not flaunt the laws of the land which do not allow for betting in any form.

If they are knowingly doing so, they need to be held to task.

 

[MenInG]

One year old article but sheds a good light on this issue:

==

The popularity of fantasy sports brands has skyrocketed since the introduction of apps such as Dream11 and My11Circle. The Indian fantasy sports industry is expected to reach $2.5 billion in 2022, according to a FICCI-EY report.

Cricket broadcasting entities used to rely heavily on fantasy sports platforms to bag the sponsorship assets during the live broadcast of the game until 2020. There is a major shift in the trend due to the betting surrogate brands.

Betting is illegal in India and so is its advertising, however, these companies have found a hack by launching sports news websites with the same name. By doing this process, it provides an opportunity for these organizations to grab eyeballs in a verified manner.

The betting brands like Parimatch, 1xbet, Betway and FairPlay have managed to ink an association with different sports entities across the globe. Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and also some international cricket organizations have teamed up with several betting companies recently. The betting entities have taken up some highly beneficial live broadcast features that allow them to run on-field graphics, horizontal banners and logo bug consistently.

Betway has signed a partnership deal with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI). On the other end, Parimatch has also formed an association with the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Tamil Thalaivas.

The Indian Premier League‘s 15th season could be the year of these betting-powered “news brands” to take up key sponsorship assets. The betting brands will look to secure some lucrative sponsorship assets in the live broadcast and streaming on Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar respectively, which are the official media rights holder of the world’s leading T20 domestic league.

https://sportsmintmedia.com/betting-surrogates-to-dominate-cricket-broadcast-sponsorships/

 

[MenInG]

Why are PCB and Franchises not addressing this issue in public?

 

[JattMaula]

Why are PCB and Franchises not addressing this issue in public?

They have sold their Iman for moolah.

 

[Saj]

Why are PCB and Franchises not addressing this issue in public?

They are telling the players that these companies are news sites and blogs and not betting companies.

 

[MenInG]

They are telling the players that these companies are news sites and blogs and not betting companies.

A quick trip to Wikipedia or google can tell everyone involved what is happening here - Really poor by PCB and franchises. Hypocrisy at its finest.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why are PCB and Franchises not addressing this issue in public?

Do they have replacement sponsors?

In India top stars like SRK Saif Shahid etc are endorsing these sites. Tells you how much they are willing to spend.

 

[MenInG]

Do they have replacement sponsors?

In India top stars like SRK Saif Shahid etc are endorsing these sites. Tells you how much they are willing to spend.

Bro it's like this.

If someone told me I could sell my family members because that would give me more money in my pocket, would I do it?

Somethings are not for sale.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Bro it's like this.

If someone told me I could sell my family members because that would give me more money in my pocket, would I do it?

Somethings are not for sale.

Everyone isn't you. For some money is more important. Sachin Tendulkar never endorsed any alcohol brand. His colleagues did. Different individuals different priorities.


If PCB bans them. Kudos to them. I hate these surrogate ads. But apparently they pay big.

 

[Saj]

Seems to be a clash of cultures:

Conservative cricketers from religious backgrounds versus franchises who want to make money.

Won't be pleasant this.

 

[topspin]

PSL doesn't even make 20% of the money that IPL brings in. The point is beggars can't be choosers. If there were replacement sponsers, I'm sure the PSL sides would opt for sponsership from non-gambling/Halal companies.

In an ideal word, betting companies shouldn't exist but we don't live in an utopia.

 

[sweep_shot]

Revenue from a betting company sponsor is haram. It should be avoided.

I don't think any Muslim-majority state should go for a betting or alcohol sponsor.

 

[MenInG]

Karachi, Feb 20 (PTI) At least three Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are flouting strict Islamic laws by promoting surrogate advertisements of off-shore online betting platforms.

The franchises are prominently displaying surrogate advertisements of companies like XBet, Bajibet and Melbet on their playing kits (back or front), while one of them has also signed a deal with a casino company.

Betting and gambling in any form is banned in Pakistan but off-shore online platforms are using the domestic T20 tournament to promote themselves through surrogate advertising.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has kept mum on the issue, indicating the franchises have the sport’s governing body’s tacit approval for signing deals with these betting companies.

Some television channels showing PSL matches are also promoting these betting sites.

The PSL brand name is also being used on several online websites with advertising linked to these gambling and betting companies.

Pakistan’s former Test captain Rashid Latif had recently slammed the PCB for allowing franchises to allegedly sign surrogate advertising deals with known betting and gambling sites.

An executive of a renowned advertising firm linked to cricket said surrogate advertising in PSL has been going since the last two years, with betting companies using news sites to promote their platforms.

“But this year it has become (more) prominent and no one really cares because everyone is looking to earn from the PSL. It is also happening in international cricket and other leagues,” the executive said on the condition of anonymity.

Even crypto-currency advertising boards can be seen on grounds during PSL matches, though trading in them remains debatable in Pakistan.

Fixing in cricket has remained a major problem in Pakistan cricket since the 90s and last week the PCB imposed a two-year ban on all-rounder Asif Afridi, who has appeared in PSL matches for breaching the anti-corruption code.

Some Pakistani players, including former captain Salim Malik and Salman Butt, have faced bans and fines for their involvement in fixing.

PTI

 

[ArabKnight]

Karachi, Feb 20 (PTI) At least three Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are flouting strict Islamic laws by promoting surrogate advertisements of off-shore online betting platforms.

The franchises are prominently displaying surrogate advertisements of companies like XBet, Bajibet and Melbet on their playing kits (back or front), while one of them has also signed a deal with a casino company.

Betting and gambling in any form is banned in Pakistan but off-shore online platforms are using the domestic T20 tournament to promote themselves through surrogate advertising.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has kept mum on the issue, indicating the franchises have the sport’s governing body’s tacit approval for signing deals with these betting companies.

Some television channels showing PSL matches are also promoting these betting sites.

The PSL brand name is also being used on several online websites with advertising linked to these gambling and betting companies.

Pakistan’s former Test captain Rashid Latif had recently slammed the PCB for allowing franchises to allegedly sign surrogate advertising deals with known betting and gambling sites.

An executive of a renowned advertising firm linked to cricket said surrogate advertising in PSL has been going since the last two years, with betting companies using news sites to promote their platforms.

“But this year it has become (more) prominent and no one really cares because everyone is looking to earn from the PSL. It is also happening in international cricket and other leagues,” the executive said on the condition of anonymity.

Even crypto-currency advertising boards can be seen on grounds during PSL matches, though trading in them remains debatable in Pakistan.

Fixing in cricket has remained a major problem in Pakistan cricket since the 90s and last week the PCB imposed a two-year ban on all-rounder Asif Afridi, who has appeared in PSL matches for breaching the anti-corruption code.

Some Pakistani players, including former captain Salim Malik and Salman Butt, have faced bans and fines for their involvement in fixing.

PTI

I wonder what are those three franchises.

Zalmi is definitely one of them!

 

[MenInG]

Shahid Afridi accepting no such nonsense during Legends League Cricket ...

He taped over the name of a betting company.

However, he had not done in this picture from a few days ago - we can see the same "surrogate advertising" trick being used

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shahid Afridi covered up the logo of a betting company which is sponsoring the ongoing Legends League Cricket tournament <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LegendsLeagueCricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LegendsLeagueCricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/huBOeN0DlG">pic.twitter.com/huBOeN0DlG</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1634486854765494272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Savak]

Apparently each PSL Franchise is getting $7.5 million each from these betting sites.

 

[brokenrecord]

Apparently each PSL Franchise is getting $7.5 million each from these betting sites.

Is there a source for that? It has to be something we are not seeing for this season to be filled with so many of these sponsors.

 

[moghul]

its legal all over the world , nothing wrong with that as long as players are not ' bought and sold' . by these companies.

 

[MenInG]

State Bank of Pakistan tells PCB to rein it in!

 

[Bilal7]

Gambling destroys lives and rationally, should be outlawed everywhere. Good on the players and administrators that are opposing these companies.

There is a reason it is Haram in Islam.

 

[Firebat]

Rizwan covering the sponsor Wolf777News on his shirt for the first time today:



Multan Sultans have signed a partnership with Wolf777 news, which is a sports site operating from Wolf777news.com. However, if you search Wolf777 on Google, the first few search results also show Wolf777casino.com, which is a live online casino website. Betting or casino websites usually use surrogate websites in guise of news to promote their businesses.

Multan Sultans last year: “Wolf777 News is a sports website that is trying to compete on a regional level with other sports news websites. Multan Sultans categorically denies the speculation that Wolf777 News has any connection to betting/gambling nor there are links or tabs on its portal to any betting/gambling website. Our association is with Wolf777News only.

“As a responsible entity, we are aware of our obligations and will neither be associated with a partner that promotes betting or gambling nor will support such venture.”

 

[Rana]

Rizwan covering the sponsor Wolf777News on his shirt for the first time today:

View attachment 119073

Multan Sultans have signed a partnership with Wolf777 news, which is a sports site operating from Wolf777news.com. However, if you search Wolf777 on Google, the first few search results also show Wolf777casino.com, which is a live online casino website. Betting or casino websites usually use surrogate websites in guise of news to promote their businesses.

Multan Sultans last year: “Wolf777 News is a sports website that is trying to compete on a regional level with other sports news websites. Multan Sultans categorically denies the speculation that Wolf777 News has any connection to betting/gambling nor there are links or tabs on its portal to any betting/gambling website. Our association is with Wolf777News only.

“As a responsible entity, we are aware of our obligations and will neither be associated with a partner that promotes betting or gambling nor will support such venture.”

Yep

As soon as he was ‘rested’

Loves staying in the headlines out boy Rizzu

 

[iPakistani]

Yep

As soon as he was ‘rested’

Loves staying in the headlines out boy Rizzu

Doesn't matter if he's doing it for PR. If that still leads to an awareness or one less person seeing it on his shirt and deciding to fall into the trap of gambling then it's a job well done by him. Rizwan is a very religious man and if even one person is influenced into gambling by seeing it on his shirt he knows he is responsible.

Why can't we ever just assume the best for a person?

 

[Rana]

Doesn't matter if he's doing it for PR. If that still leads to an awareness or one less person seeing it on his shirt and deciding to fall into the trap of gambling then it's a job well done by him. Rizwan is a very religious man and if even one person is influenced into gambling by seeing it on his shirt he knows he is responsible.

Why can't we ever just assume the best for a person?

What makes you think people are so stupid to be influenced into gambling because Rizwan is wearing a shirt that says wolf777 for the past 2 years?

How dumb do you think people actually are in this world? Do you see all Muslim fans of Liverpool drinking Carlsberg when that was the official sponsor of Liverpool?

 

[iPakistani]

What makes you think people are so stupid to be influenced into gambling because Rizwan is wearing a shirt that says wolf777 for the past 2 years?

How dumb do you think people actually are in this world? Do you see all Muslim fans of Liverpool drinking Carlsberg when that was the official sponsor of Liverpool?

Extremely illogical response, so Wolf777 are throwing hundreds of thousands/millions towards MS for the past 2 years even though there's been no benefit to them? Don't be silly.

Him covering the sponsor raises awareness for viewers aswell as franchises, gambling is a disgusting evil and it should never be promoted, especially not towards younger audiences.

 

[Rana]

Extremely illogical response, so Wolf777 are throwing hundreds of thousands/millions towards MS for the past 2 years even though there's been no benefit to them? Don't be silly.

Him covering the sponsor raises awareness for viewers aswell as franchises, gambling is a disgusting evil and it should never be promoted, especially not towards younger audiences.

Why did he only realise this now?