During the broadcast of the England vs New Zealand ODI match viewers in Pakistan noticed betting advertisements appearing on the screen. Since all forms of gambling promotion are illegal in Pakistan the ads caused confusion and concern among the public. Many viewers questioned how such content made it onto national television despite the strict ban. The issue was highlighted on social media where users asked the government to take notice. The situation quickly gained attention because Pakistan has been actively taking action against betting platforms and individuals who promote them online.
Federal Minister Atta Tarar addressed the situation and said that the government has zero tolerance for any promotional material related to betting. He explained that sometimes local broadcasters receive an international feed for sports events. That feed can include in stadium advertising boards which cannot be immediately removed or blurred by local channels. However he made it clear that broadcasters must make sure content shown on Pakistani screens follows local laws. He also added that the matter will be reviewed and steps will be taken to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
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Betting and gambling are illegal in Pakistan due to religious cultural and legal reasons. When advertisements for betting apps or platforms appear on television it can influence young audiences and promote activities that are prohibited. This is why even accidental or indirect exposure is taken seriously. This incident also follows recent cases where social media influencers and content creators faced legal action for promoting similar betting applications. It shows that the government is actively monitoring both online and broadcast content.
