England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is looking into a possible breach of their anti-corruption rules by Test head coach Brendon McCullum with regard to his relationship with a betting company.
McCullum signed a deal with the Cyprus-registered bookmaker, 22Bet India, in November 2022, six months after he took charge of England men’s side in the current role.
However, the 41-year-old was pushed into a tight spot only recently after advertisements on Youtube and social media posts from the ex-New Zealand captain, promoting betting on the IPL, came under scrutiny in his home country.
In response to McCullum’s association with the company, the ECB issued a statement stating, “We are currently exploring the matter, and [are] in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, 22Bet. We have rules in place around gambling, and will always seek to ensure these are followed.”
The ECB’s anti-corruption code states “participants” are prohibited from “directly or indirectly enticing, persuading, encouraging or facilitating any other party to enter into a bet in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match or competition”.
Last week, New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation filed an official complaint to the country’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). In response, the DIA confirmed 22Bet’s adverts are misleading because “they are not a registered New Zealand sports bookmaker, nor are they licensed or regulated in New Zealand by the DIA”.
An official complaint was filed against 22Bet’s adverts to New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) by Problem Gambling Foundation.
In response, the DIA pronounced the adverts misleading because “they are not a registered New Zealand sports bookmaker, nor are they licensed or regulated in New Zealand by the DIA”.
Consequently, adverts featuring McCullum and 22Bet India have been geoblocked for users in New Zealand. The ECB was also apprised about the matter by the Problem Gambling Foundation.
In the adverts, McCullum was promoting betting on the ongoing Indian Premier League. In a video posted on Facebook, he says:
“The IPL is coming, and I think all cricket fans are excited for this big event. My friends at 22Bet are ready to make your IPL experience even more fascinating. 22Bet India guarantees the best odds.” he said In a video posted on Facebook
McCullum’s agent, Simon Auteri, on the other hand, told a British newspaper in a statement, “We are speaking to the ECB about this. I am not going to comment on anything. We are working through it.”
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