ECB probing Test head coach Brendon McCullum’s betting advertisements with 22Bet

Google pulled down the ad campaign on Tuesday for violating its policies after users in New Zealand complained about the same.

ECB probing Test head coach Brendon McCullum’s betting advertisements with 22Bet

Brendon McCullum

England’s red-ball head coach Brendon McCullum‘s deal with bookmaker 22Bet was announced on November 2022, six months after he was appointed as England’s head coach. His appearance in its advertisement has landed him in trouble as the England Cricket Board (ECB) is currently probing whether the advert is breaching its anti-corruption rule.

Posts from the 41-year-old and the advertisement on YouTube have come under scrutiny in New Zealand. After this, New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation complained to the ECB about the advertisement last week. Google pulled the ad campaign on Tuesday for violating its policies after users in New Zealand complained about the same.

“We are currently exploring the matter and in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, 22Bet,” the ECB was quoted as saying by the BBC.

“We have rules in place around gambling and will always seek to ensure these are followed,” the ECB added. However, McCullum is not currently under investigation.

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ECB’s anti-corruption code suggests a one-year period of ineligibility

ECB probing Test head coach Brendon McCullum's betting advertisements with 22Bet
Brendon McCullum

As per ECB’s anti-corruption code, “participants” are not allowed to bet on matches and also 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“. The offense would carry a minimum one-year period of “ineligibility“. In the advertisement, McCullum can be seen encouraging betting on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Since his role as England’s red-ball head coach, McCullum, and captain Ben Stokes have led the side to 10 wins from 12 matches so far which is far better following a string of poor results before McCullum joined the side. The former New Zealand skipper is currently back in his home country and is expected to return to the UK ahead of England’s first Test against Ireland at the Lord’s, starting June 1.

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