BCCI Ends Dream11 Deal as India’s Online Gaming Ban Reshapes Sponsorship Landscape
15 hours ago
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to terminate its sponsorship deal with fantasy sports platform Dream11 after the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which imposes a blanket ban on real-money and fantasy gaming platforms in the country.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the development, stating that the board “will not indulge with any such organisations” going forward.
“Looking at the current situation and keeping in mind that the bill has become an Act, it would be really difficult for BCCI to continue with Dream11. So, the association with Dream11 is over and BCCI will look for a future course of action, including a new sponsor,” Saikia said.
A Major Financial Blow
Fantasy sports platforms have been among the biggest contributors to Indian cricket’s commercial ecosystem. Dream11 and My11Circle together account for approximately Rs.1,000 crore in sponsorship commitments through their association with both the Indian men’s national cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dream11 alone signed a contract worth $44 million (₹358 crore) as Team India’s title sponsor for the 2023–2026 cycle. The ban now cuts that agreement short, leaving the BCCI in search of replacement sponsorship revenue at a critical juncture.
The legislation prohibits offering or promoting online money gaming services in any form. It also restricts advertisements that directly or indirectly encourage participation.
Wider Impact on Indian Sport
Dream11’s involvement has extended beyond cricket. The company is also the official fantasy partner of the Indian Super League (ISL) and has engaged with multiple federations across the sporting landscape. The ban could force many of these associations to end abruptly, reshaping the sponsorship environment for Indian sport.
For Dream11, the impact will be cushioned by contractual safeguards. The sponsorship agreement included a clause ensuring that if the company’s primary business faced a government ban, it would have no further payment obligations. This means the BCCI cannot claim damages or pending sponsorship fees for the remaining duration of the deal.
In a statement, Dream11 said: “We have always been a law-abiding company and have always conducted our business in compliance with the law. While we believe that progressive legislation would have been the way forward, we will respect the law and fully comply with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.”
The Road Ahead for BCCI Sponsorship
The termination of the Dream11 deal leaves the BCCI facing a sponsorship gap ahead of a packed cricketing calendar, including India’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the next ICC cycle. With fantasy sports companies now excluded, the board will need to explore alternative categories to fill the void.
Meanwhile, endorsements of fantasy platforms by leading Indian cricketers are also expected to decline significantly, cutting off a previously lucrative revenue stream for players.
The long-term implications of the legislation for sports sponsorship in India are expected to be significant, with cricket — the country’s most commercially powerful sport — at the forefront of the disruption.