adminThe International Cricket Council (ICC) has relaxed its rules regarding gambling sector sponsorships to allow international teams to display betting brands on their kits.
From this month, international teams will be granted permission to display betting brands as sponsors during bilateral Test cricket and one-day international matches. Gambling brands will still be prohibited from kits during major ICC events such as the World Cup and T20 World Cup and World Test Championship final.
The decision was made by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting last month in Dubai, following initial discussion of the matter in November 2022.
Previously, nations had been allowed to sign sponsorships with brands from the gambling sector and grant them an in-stadium and on-field branding presence, but not feature them on team kit or apparel.
Clive Hitchcock, ICC Chief Executives’ Committee secretary, said in a document sent to administrators: “Noting that several members would be restricted from using betting logos in their country, and on the basis that several members had engaged with betting companies for sponsorship, it was felt that the members should have the right to determine for themselves if betting logos should be used in bilateral and domestic cricket.”
Several high-profile ICC members, such as India and Pakistan, will still be prohibited from displaying gambling companies on their team shirts due to national restrictions in place within those markets.
England will also not feature betting brands on its kit, due to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) anti-corruption code, which prohibits “participants” from gambling on matches but also from “enticing or encouraging any other party to enter into a bet in relation to . . . any other match or competition”.
The ECB is currently speaking to England men’s head coach Brendon McCullum regarding his appearances in advertisements for gambling platform 22Bet.
Last week Premier League football clubs collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, starting after the end of the 2025-26 season.
Away from the loosening of restrictions on gambling sponsorship, the ICC has also issued an invitation to tender for LED signage services for its World Cup tournaments running until 2027.
The ICC is seeking a provider that will be responsible for all LED signages, including perimeter boards and electronic sightscreens. The winning bidder will also create content and match-day production and delivery. — Sportsbusiness.com
Online Reporter