The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced a setback as Dream11, its $43.6 million jersey sponsor, withdrew from a three-year deal signed in July 2023 due to India’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, as reported by The Indian Express.
The legislation, criminalizing real-money gaming, has left the Indian cricket team without a lead sponsor ahead of the T20 Asia Cup starting September 9 in the UAE.
Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform, informed BCCI CEO Hemang Amin of its inability to continue due to the gaming ban, which imposes up to five years in prison for offering such services, per Reuters. The company, also a sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international leagues like the Big Bash League, will not face penalties due to a contract clause covering government regulations, per ESPN. A BCCI official told Sportstar, “There’s not much time left for the Asia Cup, but we are exploring options.”
BCCI begins process to find new sponsor following Dream11's exithttps://t.co/XDdvr03Dsr
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) August 25, 2025The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, passed last week, targets platforms like Dream11, citing financial distress, addiction, and links to fraud and terrorism financing, per The Economic Times. The ban, affecting a $2.5 billion fantasy gaming industry, has disrupted BCCI’s $1 billion sponsorship revenue, per Bloomberg. Dream11’s exit follows a pattern of challenges for BCCI sponsors, with past partners like Byju’s facing regulatory issues, dubbed the “jersey jinx.”
The legislation has drawn criticism for stifling a growing industry, with 65% of fantasy sports users opposing the ban, per a 2025 FICCI survey. As India prepares for the Asia Cup, the BCCI’s urgent tender process aims to secure a new sponsor to maintain financial stability.
