Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to lose a major sponsorship deal worth ₹358 crore following the passage of the Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money games in India. Dream11, the title sponsor of the Indian cricket team, has confirmed that it will discontinue its partnership with BCCI due to the shutdown of its real-money operations.
Dream11 Sponsorship Deal Ends
In 2023, Dream11 had signed a three-year contract worth USD 44 million (approximately ₹358 crore) to become the lead sponsor of Team India, replacing BYJU’s. With the bill now passed and signed into law, Dream11’s operations in fantasy sports will shut down, making it impossible for the company to continue as a sponsor. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed, “BCCI and Dream11 are discontinuing their relationship with each other after the Online Gaming Bill. BCCI will ensure not to indulge with any such organisations ahead in future.”
Massive Blow to Cricket Sponsorship Revenue
The suspension of Dream11’s deal leaves a huge gap in BCCI’s sponsorship portfolio at a crucial time, with the Asia Cup 2025 starting on September 9. Dream11 was one of India’s largest advertisers, spending nearly ₹2,964 crore on ads in FY23. Fantasy sports companies, including My11Circle and others, collectively spent over ₹5,000 crore annually on marketing, much of it tied to cricket sponsorships.
Impact on Wider Industry
Other gaming firms such as Mobile Premier League (MPL), Zupee, and Gameskraft have also begun shutting down real-money operations. My11Circle, which signed a ₹625 crore deal in 2024 to remain an IPL partner until 2028, could also face uncertainty. The ban affects not only cricket sponsorships but also advertising markets and tax revenues, with industry estimates suggesting a ₹23,000 crore sector wiped out almost overnight.
