Court Prevents PCB from Securing Gambling Sponsorship Contracts

The Peshawar High Court has prohibited the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from entering into sponsorship agreements with gambling firms, following a petition that contested such deals associated with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the PCB.

While gambling sponsorships are widely utilised by operators to reach broader audiences in markets where betting may be restricted, these arrangements have raised significant concerns in Pakistan, where gambling is illegal. This ruling comes in response to a petition filed by local resident Syed Muhammad Tanseer Ahmad Sherazi, who objected to the display of gambling logos on PSL and national cricket team uniforms.

Despite the country's prohibition on gambling, players' jerseys have featured logos from international betting companies like MelBAT, 1xBat, and BJ Sports, which led Sherazi to voice his objections. His attorney, Nouman Muhib Kakakhel, contended that these betting companies were indirectly promoting their services in Pakistan, even reaching underage audiences through proxy firms.

The court determined that betting platforms were using local financial services to circumvent Pakistan's gambling restrictions and that they provided apps accessible on iOS and Android devices. The ruling, issued by Justice Waqar Ahmad and Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, effectively bars the PCB and PSL from entering into any future gambling sponsorship agreements.

The presence of gambling logos on cricket uniforms has not only attracted legal scrutiny but also criticism from players. Notably, Muhammad Rizwan, a well-known cricketer in the PSL, covered up a betting logo on his jersey during a match, indicating his personal opposition to endorsing gambling.

This decision reflects wider trends in the sports world. For instance, English Premier League clubs in the UK are set to enforce a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships starting from the 2026-2027 season.