PCB bans promotion of betting, gambling during Pakistan matches

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to ban the promotion of betting and gambling during Pakistan matches broadcasted outside the country.

It was, earlier, reported that PCB gave their commercial rights to a company who then signed a deal with a foreign betting company for the now-suspended fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The matches of the PSL season five were broadcasted live on a foreign betting website, without the PCB’s permission.

However, the board later clarified that their global media rights partner, without following the due approval process, awarded the live streaming rights to a betting company. But in an agreement with the same company, the board had earlier allowed betting advertisements in the matches streamed outside Pakistan.

The board seemed to have learned from their mistake and have made it clear in the bid document for media rights consulting services that no betting and gambling advertisements will be allowed in Pakistan matches broadcasted outside the country.

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Interestingly, the PCB had included ‘wagering deal support’ as one of the requirements stated in the bid document for media rights consulting services. There has been a change in request for proposal as well.

The media rights consultancy will determine the value of the media rights deal for the 2020-2023 cycle and also work directly with the broadcasters.

Earlier, the board also released an advertisement to acquire the services of a media rights consultant. The board have set six requirements and have allotted different weightage to each. In total, all requirements make up 100 points.

Out of 100 points, 10 have been allotted for having experience in dealing with media rights, sponsorship and wagering deal support. 10 for having worked with reputed organizations like FIFA, UEFA, ICC, English Premier League, Cricket Australia or some other national cricket association. 40 points for negotiating a successful media rights agreement with International Cricket Council (ICC), Cricket Australia (CA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or New Zealand Cricket. 

The last date to submit a tender has also been moved from May 14 to May 15.

It must be noted that the board is likely to hire an Australian company, ColganBauer, for the aforementioned service. Last year, a PCB official also met with its representative in Australia.

The board is also in contact with an International Cricket Council (ICC) official in this regard. However, since the ICC official is still employed with the cricket’s governing body, he will only be able to work from behind the scenes.