CAN Faces Possible Action From CIB and Advertising Board for Continuing Betting Promotions in NPL

Kathmandu: The Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has continued to promote betting-related companies in the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), despite receiving clear instructions from the Advertising Board. In photos taken during preparations for the tournament scheduled from 17 November–14 December, an advertisement for “Dafa News” is visible on the boundary line.

This is a surrogate advertisement for Dafa Bet, an online betting company. Earlier, the Advertising Board had issued a notice on 17 August, 2025 warning CAN not to promote such surrogate betting platforms.

Last year’s NPL also saw complaints that betting sites such as “1XBAT,” “Wolf-777,” and “Dafa News” were advertised on players’ jerseys and on the field. Following an investigation, the board warned CAN not to repeat such activities in the future.

See below, the warning issued to CAN by the Advertising Board.

The board stated that CAN’s response was not satisfactory and warned it not to advertise in violation of the Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2076 BS and other applicable laws. However, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka argued that there is no clear law in Nepal regarding surrogate advertising.

He said, “All the brands used are not betting brands, they are surrogates. Since the definition, rules, and monitoring system for surrogacy are not clear, the current brands cannot be called betting brands.”

Khadka claimed that CAN has fully followed International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines and its Anti-Corruption Unit for all on-field activities. He added that CAN cannot control activities outside the ground but is operating according to ICC rules inside the ground.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Shiva Kumar Shrestha said that action will be taken once a complaint is filed. “Based on the information received, the matter is under preliminary investigation,” he said. “Local police units handle incidents related to betting. Once a complaint is filed, the CIB proceeds with the investigation.”

Nepal’s laws, however, completely ban gambling and betting. The Gambling Act, 2020 prohibits gambling or engaging in gambling activities. The Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2076 BS clearly states that advertisements encouraging gambling or lottery purchases are prohibited. Despite these legal provisions, CAN has drawn controversy again by promoting a betting company, ignoring the warnings of the regulatory body.

 

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