Kantipur Still Airing Online Betting Ads Despite Crackdown on CAN and Agencies

भदौ ३, २०८२ १४:३७

Kathmandu: The Advertising Board has taken action against two advertising agencies and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for promoting illegal betting sites during the Nepal Premier League, held from November 30 to 21 December last year.

The board has issued a warning to CAN to refrain from future advertising violations and has imposed fines and a three-month ban on Brand Digital Logic Pvt. Ltd. and TCM Sports and Marketing Pvt. Ltd., which handled related advertising work. The action comes after it was found that Nepal Premier League matches were broadcast on Star Sports through a foreign company, Twenty First Century Media, with advertisements for gambling sites such as OnexBet, Wolf777, and DafaNews.

The board had received complaints that such advertisements were displayed on players’ T-shirts and the ground, and that betting activities were taking place during matches. In meetings held on August 6 and August 14, the board decided to investigate these complaints and take action.

Action Against CAN

CAN reportedly did not submit a response to multiple letters from the board. The reply provided in a letter dated 26 Shrawan 2082 (11 August, 2025), citing busy schedules as a reason for the delay, was deemed unsatisfactory. Based on this, CAN has been warned under Section 16 T of the Advertisement Regulation Act, 2076, and Section 11 B (1) of the Advertisement Regulation Rules, 2077. The warning states that if CAN ignores the board’s instructions, it will be prohibited from advertising in the future and must not advertise in violation of the Advertisement Act, 2076, or other prevailing laws and regulations.

Three-Month Ban and Fine on Two Advertising Agencies

The board has taken action against Brand Digital Logic Pvt. Ltd. and TCM Sports and Marketing Pvt. Ltd. under Section 26 of the Advertisement Act, 2076, and Rule 11 of the Advertisement Rules. Both agencies have been fined NPR 10,000 each for engaging in advertising business without registration with the board and for displaying advertisements contrary to prevailing law. They have also been banned from issuing, receiving, publishing, or broadcasting advertisements or information for three months.

During this period, the agencies will not be listed with the board. Furthermore, all advertisers and media outlets have been requested not to engage in any advertising business with the two agencies subject to this action.

Kantipur Continues Similar Advertising

Despite the action against CAN and the two advertising agencies, Kantipur has been found to be continuing similar activities on YouTube and television channels. It has been reported that online betting is being promoted through Kantipur Max TV during the live broadcast of the ongoing Top End T20 series in Australia.

Kantipur is directly advertising the online betting platform Dafabet while showing live coverage of the tournament, which includes the Nepali national cricket team. Unlike CAN, which had only engaged in surrogate advertising for such platforms during last season's Nepal Premier League (NPL), Kantipur is directly promoting betting platforms.

Understanding Surrogate Advertising

Surrogate advertising involves promoting a product whose direct advertising is prohibited by law, such as alcohol, cigarettes, or gambling. In these cases, companies use the same brand, name, or logo to advertise another legal product like water, soda, or a program. While viewers see the legal product, their minds associate it with the prohibited product.

During the NPL, Dafabet was promoted through surrogate advertising in the name of Dafa News on online platforms. However, Kantipur is now directly broadcasting betting advertisements on TV, which overshadows previous indirect promotions.

Board Response

Chief Administrative Officer of the Advertising Board, Devi Khatri, described the broadcasting of such advertisements on national television as a serious issue. She noted that while action has been taken against CAN and advertising agencies, an investigation will also be conducted on Kantipur's advertisements.

“If such illegal goods and services are found to be advertised, the board can investigate without a complaint. The board will first seek clarification and take necessary action,” Khatri told TechPana.