ECB ‘exploring’ Brendon McCullum’s relationship with bookmaker after ‘misleading’ advertising campaign
The England and Wales Cricket Board has launched discussions with representatives of Test coach Brendon McCullum regarding the former Black Caps captain’s partnership with bookmaker LeonBet India.
The 41-year-old has appeared in a series of advertisements as a “brand ambassador” for the Cyprus-based bookmaker, which recently caused a stir in New Zealand. Last week, New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation filed an official complaint to the ECB and the country’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) about the adverts, which appeared frequently on streaming platform YouTube.
Watch Sri Lanka’s Tour of New Zealand. Every ODI & T20 live & ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
In the videos, McCullum encouraged betting on the Indian Premier League, telling punters signed merchandise was up for grabs via LeonBets’s website. The former Black Caps wicketkeeper also promoted LeonBet to his 538,000 Twitter followers in January, but the post has since been deleted.
“The IPL is coming, and I think all cricket fans are excited for this big event,” McCullum said in the video.
“My friends at LeonBet are ready to make your IPL experience even more fascinating. LeonBet India guarantees the best odds.
“Bet to play, bet to win.”
According to Stuff, LeonBet is managed and operated by TechSolutions (CY) Group in Cyprus and licensed in Curacao — its casino services are blacklisted in more than 60 countries, including Australia.
New Zealand legislation, specifically the Gambling Act, bans overseas companies from advertising gambling services to New Zealanders.
“22Bet’s current advertising is misleading as they are not a registered New Zealand sports bookmaker, nor are they licensed or regulated in New Zealand by the DIA,” a DIA spokesperson said in a statement.
“We are currently looking at avenues we can pursue, including contacting LeonBet advising them to change their misleading marketing and advertising which insinuates in any way that they are a New Zealand-based gambling operator.”
Speaking to 1News, Problem Gambling Foundation spokesperson Andree Froude expressed her “serious concerns” about the company’s “aggressive” online marketing campaign.
“They’re managing to circumnavigate our law by using YouTube, which of course, is an international platform that they can use and appear to be using ghost accounts too,” Froude told the New Zealand publication.
“Having a famous Kiwi can trick people into thinking it’s a New Zealand site, which it absolutely isn’t.”
Google pulled the ads from YouTube last week for violating their policies, according to 1News.
“Google has strict policies that govern the kind of ads we allow on our platform. In this instance, we’ve found the ads that violate our policies and we have removed them,” a Google spokesperson told the publication.
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” — offences carry a minimum one-year period of “ineligibility”.
On Saturday, the ECB released a statement clarifying that McCullum was not under investigation for the possible breach of their anti-corruption rules.
“We are currently exploring the matter, and (are) in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, LeonBets,” the ECB statement said.
“We have rules in place around gambling, and will always seek to ensure these are followed.”
McCullum was appointed as England’s head coach in May last year, with the Test side winning ten of their 12 most recent matches under his guidance.
Criado em 2015, consultório médico, especializado em ortopedia, e doenças da coluna e do joelho. Constituído de profissionais que buscam a atualização constante, priorizam a atuação com ética e respeito. Tem a missão de poder fornecer aos pacientes um tratamento individualizado, humano, e de excelência.
Leonbet affiliate program has been around for over 10 years and is growing stronger every year. With over 4,395 affiliates around the globe, Leon offers a fantastic opportunity to expand your horizons and earn more.
A altura da coluna representa a dificuldade do jogo no momento.
Leon bet ofrece un excelente bono de bienvenida que no puedes dejar pasar si eres nuevo usuario o si estas considerando registrarte en esta casa de apuestas. Es por eso que en esta publicación te diremos como puedes usar el bono de Leon.
Para saber quais são as ofertas de boas-vindas, veja todos os bônus da Leon.