online 娛樂城 finds itself without a title sponsor after Dream11 confirmed its withdrawal from the partnership. The decision follows the recent passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which prohibits money-based online gaming and related promotions.
The law, approved by both houses of Parliament, has forced Dream11 to end all paid contests in India and cancel its high-profile sponsorship deal worth approximately ₹358 crore ($41 million). BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the split, remarking that the board “will not indulge with any such organisations ahead in future.”
Legal Shift Forces Dream11’s Hand
The new legislation delivers sweeping restrictions on real-money gaming platforms, outlawing financial transactions, advertising, and promotional activities tied to such services. Federal IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the measure as part of the government’s duty “to take strict action against social evils, which keep erupting time and again.”
The penalties are severe: violators could face up to three years in prison and fines reaching ₹1 crore, with harsher sentences for repeat offenders. Advertising such platforms alone carries a potential jail time of two years. For Dream11, a company that derived the bulk of its revenue from paid fantasy contests, compliance meant shutting down its most lucrative operations in India.
End of a $41 Million Partnership
Dream11 had only taken over as the lead sponsor of Team India in July 2023, signing a three-year contract to replace Byju’s. The deal covered both men’s and women’s national teams, with the company’s branding featured prominently on jerseys.
In a statement released on social media, Dream11 reflected on its growth since its launch 18 years ago, describing its mission as making sports more engaging for fans. “We have always been and will always be a law-abiding company, and have conducted our business in compliance with the laws,” the company said. “While we believe that progressive regulations would have been the right way forward, we will respect the law and will fully comply with ‘The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025.’”
The company further noted its continued commitment to India’s sporting ecosystem through affiliated ventures such as FanCode, DreamSetGo, Dream Game Studios, and the Dream Sports Foundation.
Major Blow to BCCI Revenues
Dream11, along with My11Circle, contributed nearly ₹1,000 crore to Indian cricket through sponsorships spanning the national team and the IPL. With the company now exiting, the BCCI must urgently seek a replacement sponsor to avoid appearing without branding during the Asia Cup, set to begin on September 9 in Dubai.
An official from the board explained that no penalties will be imposed on Dream11, as the sponsorship contract included a clause protecting the company from liability if its business was disrupted by government regulations. “Dream11 visited the BCCI office and informed CEO Hemang Amin that they won’t be able to continue… As a result, they won’t be the team’s sponsors for the Asia Cup. The BCCI will float a new tender soon,” the official told The Indian Express.
Wider Impact on Cricket and Endorsements
The consequences extend beyond the BCCI’s finances. Several top cricketers—including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah—have been ambassadors for Dream11. With the new restrictions, player endorsements with fantasy sports companies are expected to decline sharply.
Industry watchers suggest the ban has effectively cut off over 90% of Dream11’s revenue stream, making its sponsorship model unsustainable. Having once stepped in as IPL title sponsor in 2020 when Vivo exited, Dream11 now finds itself forced out of the market altogether.
As Dream11 retreats, the BCCI is left scrambling to secure a new sponsor in time for one of the most high-profile tournaments in the cricket calendar, underscoring how legislative shifts can swiftly alter the business of sports.
