Dream11 steps back as Team India's lead sponsor after new gaming bill

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India’s largest fantasy game platform Dream11 has pulled out as primary sponsor of the Indian cricket team. The news, though expected, comes as the central government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.

 

“The passage of the Bill has a material impact on the business operations of Dream11. The company has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about its decision. But BCCI has not yet responded,” said a source privy to the development.

 

When contacted, both Dream11 and the BCCI did not respond to Business Standard’s query.

 

“BCCI is also evaluating Dream11 as advertiser, as the Bill also bans advertisement of real-money games,” said another source.

 

Dream11’s contract with BCCI as primary sponsor was signed in 2023 and is valid till 2026. The deal is worth around ~358 crore.

 

BCCI will have to finalise a sponsor before Asia Cup 2025, which begins from September 9.

 

Dream11 is the world’s largest fantasy sports platform with 260 million users playing fantasy cricket, football and other sports.

 

With Dream11 pulling out as primary sponsor, the brand name will not be displayed in the front portion of Team India's jersey.

 

The jersey sponsorship seems to be a jinx as brands have had to pull out due to regulatory issues or business failure.

 

Before Dream11, India’s edtech platform Byju’s was a jersey sponsor, and before that Sahara.