In a significant development for Indian cricket’s commercial landscape, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially ended its multi-year sponsorship deal with fantasy sports giant Dream11. This decision comes in direct response to the newly enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all online money games and prohibits their promotion and advertising. The move leaves the Indian cricket team without a front-of-jersey sponsor just weeks ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, prompting the BCCI to explore new alternatives.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the split, stating, “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.” Saikia emphasized that the BCCI is a law-abiding organization and will not engage in any activities prohibited by the government. The new law has dealt a major blow to the revenue model of fantasy gaming platforms, making it financially unviable for Dream11 to continue its lucrative ₹358 crore (approximately $44 million) deal, which was originally set to run until 2026.
The BCCI is now on the hunt for a new title sponsor. The board has initiated the process of inviting bids for the coveted jersey sponsorship slot, but it is highly unlikely a new deal will be finalized in time for the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9. Industry experts, however, believe that despite the short notice, the BCCI will not struggle to find a replacement, given the immense brand value and visibility associated with the Indian cricket team.
The end of this high-profile partnership is a clear signal of the profound impact of the new online gaming law on India’s sports sponsorship ecosystem. Beyond institutional deals, the legislation is also expected to severely curtail personal endorsement deals for cricketers with gaming platforms, reshaping the commercial dynamics of the sport for years to come.
Key Highlights:
- The BCCI has officially ended its sponsorship agreement with fantasy gaming platform Dream11 due to the new Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
- The new law imposes a blanket ban on all online money games and their advertising, making it unviable for Dream11 to continue the ₹358 crore deal.
- BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating the board will comply with the law and is now actively searching for a new sponsor.
- The change leaves the Indian team without a front-of-jersey sponsor for the upcoming Asia Cup, but the board is confident it will find a replacement.