Ramiz Raja instructs complete ban on betting companies' advertisements

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has made it clear that betting websites should not come near to Pakistan Cricket.

According to details, betting companies have entered the Pakistani market by changing their names. Cricket Pakistan pointed it out last year, but PCB continued to involve them in Pakistan Super League (PSL) and also during the home series.

Under the new system, betting companies also advertise in Pakistan with a slight variation in their name, mostly adding the word 'News'. This is called surrogate advertising.

As per sources, there were arguments in this regard during the General Council meeting of PSL on Friday.

Ramiz Raja informed about the 'zero tolerance policy in such matters, emphasizing that he cannot tolerate the advertising of betting campaigns in Pakistan cricket. He urged stakeholders to bring big international brands rather than going for such companies.

During the meeting, a franchise official also had a long discussion with Ramiz but he could not convince the chairman. He raised some points by reminding that the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other boards were also allowing surrogate advertising.

Sources added that earlier, the PCB had asked to complete the existing contracts, but now the chairman has indicated a complete ban.

Remember, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Fehmida Mirza also reacted to this news last year and wanted PCB to take notice of such activities which can defame the country. Ramiz Raja had also expressed his anger on "surrogate advertising".