Senior Researcher Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa has raised questions over the continued visibility of betting-linked surrogate brands during Sri Lanka Cricket matches, despite regulatory action against unlicensed online gambling platforms in the country.
In an analysis of highlights from the second Test between Sri Lanka and India at the SSC, Hattotuwa said the 1xBAT logo received around 14 minutes of screen exposure across five daily highlights packages published by Sri Lanka Cricket.
The five videos had collectively recorded more than 629,000 views at the time of his analysis. Combined with highlights from the first Test in Galle, Hattotuwa estimated that 1xBAT received around 25 minutes of exposure across 10 videos viewed around two million times.
He said 1xBAT branding appeared through an advertising mat behind the wicket, boundary advertising and sight-screen placements during the SSC Test. Sri Lanka Cricket’s website confirms that official highlights from the Test were published on its channels.
Hattotuwa also highlighted the presence of Parimatch Sports and batbricks7 during the second Test, describing them as surrogate brands linked to offshore betting operations.
The researcher questioned how such advertising could continue while Sri Lankan authorities were taking action against unlicensed online gambling websites.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka had earlier moved to block access to several gambling websites, including 1xbet.com. Hattotuwa argues that 1xBAT functions as a surrogate brand for 1xBet, an association that has previously been acknowledged by a former Sri Lanka Cricket secretary.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025 includes provisions governing the operation and promotion of unlicensed online gambling.
Sri Lanka Cricket, however, has previously said it “does not permit betting advertising at SLC matches within the territory of Sri Lanka.”
He argued that the issue exposes a broader weakness in Sri Lanka’s enforcement of restrictions on online gambling, with authorities blocking gambling websites while betting-linked surrogate branding continues to receive extensive exposure through cricket broadcasts and highlights.
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