A court has banned the PCB from signing sponsorship deals with betting companies. This is after a decision from the country’s PHC or Peshawar High Court.
The decision forbids gambling brands from displaying their logos on the shirts of Pakistan’s national cricket teams. It also applies to teams in the PSL Twenty20 tournament.
The ruling followed a petition filed by resident Syed Muhammad Tanseer Ahmad Sherazi. He challenged the sponsorship deals of PCB and PSL with betting firms linked to international gambling operations and casinos.
1xBat and MelBAT were identified as wrongdoers. Wolf777 and BJ Sports were included in other betting brands that have recently sponsored PSL teams.
In Pakistan, gambling is illegal. The government has rejected some calls to legalize betting. Authorities can fine or imprison those caught gambling.
Nouman Muhib Kakakhel represented the petitioner. He cited gambling laws in the country. He argued that proxy companies were using sponsorship deals to promote gambling to young people. Kakakhel also claimed they were disguising themselves as news providers or utilities manufacturers.
Kakakhel also emphasized that these betting companies allow users to transfer funds via lcoal financial services like EasyPaisa and JazzCash. These betting companies are available on both Android and iOS devices and enable betting on sports events. He pointed out that these firms have helpline numbers in Pakistan to help users place bets on various sports events.
A bench, including Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmad, made the ruling. The former noted a photo of cricketer Muhammad Rizwan playing in the PSL with tape covering a logo of a betting company on his shirt. The court expressed concerns over such incidents, while players also voiced discomfort with these types of sponsorships.
