The BCCI has officially ended its association with fantasy sports platform Dream11, its title sponsors, after the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
The new law, which bans all forms of money-based online games and their promotion in India, forced Dream11 to suspend paid contests. With the Asia Cup in the UAE beginning on September 9, the national side is currently without a jersey sponsor.
Why did the deal end between BCCI and Dream11?
Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, had signed a three-year title sponsorship agreement worth INR 358 crore with the BCCI in July 2023, replacing edtech firm Byju’s. However, following the approval of the Online Gaming Bill in both houses of the Indian parliament last week, along with the president’s approval, the continuation of the deal became impossible.
The law imposes a complete ban on offering or facilitating money-based online games, prohibits their advertising across all media, and blocks financial transactions linked to such platforms. It affected the core of Dream11’s business - real-money fantasy contests - which can no longer operate in India. Following the Bill’s passage, the company suspended all paid contests, leaving only free-to-play options on its platform.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed Dream11’s exit: “BCCI and Dream11 are discontinuing their relationship after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed. BCCI will ensure not to indulge with any such organisations in future,” he told ANI.
According to The Indian Express, Dream11 executives visited the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai to inform BCCI CEO Hemang Amin of their inability to continue with the deal, effectively ruling them out as sponsors for the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9. Saikia added that deliberations are underway to find a replacement, though time is short. “We still have some time, at least 15-20 days. If something develops within this period, there will be a replacement. Otherwise, we’ll see how it progresses,” he said.
Dream11 was reportedly protected from penalties for a last-minute pull-out due to a clause in their sponsorship contract. This clause stipulated that Dream11 would not be liable to pay the BCCI if government law changes impacted the sponsor's primary business.
Impact on Dream11
Dream11, founded 18 years ago and valued at USD 8 billion, has been a dominant player in India’s fantasy gaming industry. It built a vast presence in cricket, signing several top Indian players, including MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, as brand ambassadors, and briefly serving as the IPL’s title sponsor in 2020 when Vivo pulled out.
The company also has long-standing partnerships in cricket beyond India, including with the Caribbean Premier League, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and the Big Bash League. Dream11 also had a global tie-up with the ICC, announced in 2018, making them the “Official Fantasy Game Partner” for all ICC events until 2023.
Outside cricket, Dream11 has deals with the Pro Kabaddi League, the Indian Super League, the International Hockey Federation, and even launched an official NBA fantasy game in 2017.
The impact of the Bill is being felt beyond Indian cricket as well. European Cricket, backed financially by Dream11, took to social media to announce that all games part of the European Cricket Network will be temporarily suspended starting August 25th. It includes the European Cricket Series, the European Cricket League, the Women’s European Cricket Championship and all international matches involving European countries.
The EC gained global attention when Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin went viral in 2019 for sprinting to the commentary box after taking a wicket and shouting into the microphone in joy. He later became a brand ambassador for Melbourne Stars in the BBL, taking part in fan meet-and-greet events.
Dream11 isn't the only company whose partnership with the BCCI is uncertain. My11Circle, as the IPL’s official fantasy partner, has been paying the BCCI INR 125 crore annually since 2024. Together with Dream11, they contribute nearly INR 1,000 crore to the BCCI.
According to the latest reports, car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation and a Fintech start-up have shown an interest in becoming India's new jersey sponsors.
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