Serious concerns over LPL sponsors related to betting
Serious concerns are being raised about the impact of gambling as well as network marketing sponsorships and partnerships on the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament where all teams advertise logos of gambling or online forex companies. Some of the betting and gambling companies involved in the LPL are Skyfair news, 1XBAT, 1XBook, Crickex.in, Kheloyar news, BABU88, Satsport, wolf777 and TigerEXCH while BFICOIN and MTFE are unauthourised forex trading platforms.
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has repeatedly warned the public against virtual currencies, stating that it has not licensed or authorised any entity or companies to operate any schemes including VCs, including cryptocurrencies. “VCs are considered as unregulated financial instruments and have no regulatory oversight or safeguards relating to their usage in Sri Lanka,” the regulator says.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved these sponsors after a vetting process. There is fear, however, that this trend will lead to complex ethical and social questions, particularly as betting interests can influence ‘weak individuals’.
It was only a few years ago that Sri Lankan cricketers were considered the most vulnerable to among all countries by the ACU which conducted high-level investigations into match fixing here. A few former players were found guilty and banned.
One of the most visible forms of branding is through player jerseys. Betting companies have paid teams to display their logos on their jersey fronts, upper arms and back of the jersey, ensuring that their brands are prominently showcased during matches. This provides extensive exposure, not only in Sri Lanka, but also globally, as the games are shown live.
“When you assess the likely dangers involved, entertaining questionable elements such as dodgy investors, match fixers, bookies, etc as sponsors is not the biggest threat or worry,” wrote Charith Senanayake, a former national cricketer turned a vocal critique of the current administration, in a social media post.
“Actually, the utmost danger lies in exposing our players to be controlled, manage and to be contracted to these elements,” he stressed.
“By the end of the tournament, I am sure most of our players will be wrapped under their wings.”
“The day this happens (unless done and dusted already) no use what anyone’s attempts to make things right [sic],” he wrote. “It will be an impossible task. Cos [sic] once anyone is in, no way out. Doomed for life basically. It’s happening already. Countries valuable investment, harnessed by others to make easy and swift profits through short term illegal investments. An absolute crime. Sad for our young players and their futures.”
Samantha Dodanwela, the Tournament Director, said they allowed the sponsors logos in player attire only after getting the ACU’s green light.
“Even now we have three ICC anti-corruption officers working closely with us to ensure the credibility of the
tournament,” he insisted.
“We have allowed all these
sponsors after a thorough vetting process.”
The organisers asked Jaffna Kings to cover one of the logos in player jersey after their first match in the season and Dodanwela said that this was because they have printed the logo before taking approval.
“We are in the process of getting approval and once that is done, they can display it,” he said.
Pakistan’s star cricketer Babar Azam categorically refused to wear the logos of betting companies on his jersey during the LPL tournament which is currently being played in Colombo and Kandy. He represents Colombo Strikers who had signed up with a betting firm. Betting is forbidden in Islam.