PCB Prohibited from Partnering with Betting Firms

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been barred from entering sponsorship agreements with betting companies, following a decision by the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

This ruling prevents gambling brands from displaying their logos on the jerseys of Pakistan’s national cricket teams and in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 tournament. The decision was the result of a petition filed by Syed Muhammad Tanseer Ahmad Sherazi, who contested the PCB and PSL’s partnerships with betting companies linked to international gambling platforms and casinos.

The companies identified in the petition included 1xBat and MelBAT, while other betting brands such as Wolf777 and BJ Sports have also previously sponsored PSL teams.

Gambling is prohibited in Pakistan, and despite calls from some quarters to legalise it, the government has maintained its stance against betting. Individuals caught engaging in gambling activities face fines or imprisonment. Nouman Muhib Kakakhel, the lawyer representing the petitioner, argued that proxy companies were using sponsorships as a cover to promote gambling, targeting young people while presenting themselves as news or utility service providers.

Kakakhel further pointed out that these betting firms, accessible on Android and iOS devices, allow users to transfer money through local services like EasyPaisa and JazzCash, making it easier for individuals to place bets on sports events. He also highlighted that these companies have dedicated helplines in Pakistan to assist users with betting on various sports.

The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmad. Chief Justice Ibrahim mentioned an incident where cricketer Muhammad Rizwan covered a betting company’s logo on his shirt with tape during a PSL match, expressing concern over such situations. The court noted that the discomfort shown by players towards these sponsorships was worrying.

In response, the PCB’s legal team provided documentation showing that since the petition was filed, the board had held multiple meetings with stakeholders and implemented a ban on surrogate company sponsorships.