New Delhi: The England Cricket Board is looking into a matter of a possible breach of their anti-corruption rules by England’s Test head coach Brendon McCullum regarding his relationship with bookmaker 22Bet India. The ex-New Zealand batter is reportedly the brand ambassador of the Cyprus-based company and has been promoting 22Bet India on social media.
McCullum became the brand ambassador of the firm in November 2022 and YouTube ads and posts on his social media feeds have come under the scrutiny of ECB and New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation.
ECB released a statement and said that they are ‘exploring’ the matter, and are in discussions with the head coach around his relationship with 22Bet. The statement further said that the board has its rules on gambling and will ensure that they are followed. As per the ECB’s anti-corruption code, ‘participants’ are prohibited from persuading, enticing, encouraging or facilitating betting in matches.
McCullum’s agent, Simon Auteri said to the Times newspaper that they are in discussions with ECB and do not want to comment on it now.
Earlier, New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation filed an official complaint to the country’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), which observed that 22Bet is not registered or licensed with the department. This led to the blocking of advertisements featuring McCullum and 22Bet India in New Zealand.
Problem Gambling Foundation also reached ECB to look into the matter as the posts encourage betting in IPL.
Recently, the Indian government also strengthened its stance on betting/gambling sites by amending the IT Rules 2021. As per the amendment, intermediaries have been asked to make a reasonable effort not to share, host or publish any online game that is not permissible by online gaming self-regulatory bodies.
Brendon McCullum is currently back in New Zealand and will return to the UK for England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland from June 1 onwards.
