In a sharp turn of events, Indian cricket has officially lost its primary jersey sponsor—fantasy gaming platform Dream11—in the wake of the government’s ban on real-money online gaming.
Dream11 had inked a three-year, ₹358 crore (approximately $43.6 million) deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in July 2023, securing top billing on both the men’s and women’s national team jerseys. However, with the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, the platform became legally untenable as a sponsor. Under this new legislation, any form of sponsoring or advertising for real-money gaming platforms, including fantasy sports, is strictly prohibited. Any offenders could face fines or even imprisonment.
Following the law’s enactment, representatives from Dream11 approached the BCCI and conveyed that they could no longer continue as India’s primary sponsor. As a result, Dream11 will no longer feature as the team’s jersey sponsor at the upcoming Asia Cup, set to commence on September 9.
The BCCI has immediately initiated a process to find a replacement sponsor, though time is of the essence. With just weeks before the Asia Cup, the cricket board faces a challenging task to secure a new partnership in such a tight window.
Beyond the sponsorship setback, the broader sports and advertising industries are feeling the fallout. Analysts warn that the ban could result in a substantial decline in advertising expenditures—potentially erasing ₹4,000–5,000 crore annually from sports-related ad revenue. Fantasy gaming platforms were among the most vocal and visible sponsors in Indian sports, particularly in cricket.
This sudden sponsorship void underscores the wide-reaching impact of the government’s move—even top-tier sports leagues are not immune. While the regulatory action aims to mitigate concerns around financial distress, addiction, and fraud on such platforms, it has delivered a seismic shock to cricket’s commercial landscape.
As Indian cricket adapts to this abrupt change, one thing is clear: the board must act swiftly to secure a new sponsor in time for the Asia Cup, and advertisers must recalibrate strategies amid this new regulatory frontier.
