Pietersen tells ECB he will not promote Dafabet on England duty

Kevin Pietersen has told the England and Wales Cricket Board he will refrain from promoting betting during his England coaching duties after taking an ambassador role with Dafabet, according to the Guardian. The report says the former England batter has offered that assurance while preparing for an extensive programme as a mentor to Brendon McCullum's white-ball side.

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Pietersen announced the agreement with the Philippines-based gambling company on Tuesday. The Guardian reported that his announcement envisaged collaborations and material from behind the scenes on his social media accounts. His separate England contract covers approximately 150 days over the next 13 months, ending with the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The reported assurance concerns the periods when Pietersen is working for England. The Guardian described the 46-year-old as having reassured the board that he would not promote Dafabet during those duties. Its account did not report a finding that Pietersen had breached the ECB's anti-corruption code or announce any disciplinary action against him over the agreement.

That code prohibits cricket participants from encouraging or helping others to bet on matches or competitions, the newspaper reported. It also bars participants from betting themselves. The Guardian cited the earlier case of England fast bowler Brydon Carse, who received a 16-month ban, with 13 months suspended, for placing 303 bets between 2017 and 2019.

The board's approach extends beyond individual participants. According to the report, the ECB does not accept gambling advertising revenue and has prohibited Hundred franchises from entering betting sponsorship deals from next year. Counties receiving commercial income from gambling are required to show that the money is put into infrastructure or community programmes.

Pietersen will not accompany England to Pakistan for the one-day triangular series involving Sri Lanka that begins next week, the Guardian reported. He is, however, due to work on the winter visits to Australia and South Africa and England's home white-ball fixtures next summer. Those assignments form part of his commitments leading into the World Cup.