Fantasy sports giant Dream11 will no longer be the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket team, following the passage of the Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in Parliament.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision on Monday, saying the Board of Control for Cricket in India would not partner with such organizations in the future. The development leaves the BCCI searching for a new sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9 in the UAE.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “BCCI and Dream 11 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.”
Background of the Deal
Dream11 became Team India’s main jersey sponsor in 2023, after replacing Byju’s, whose contract had ended earlier that year. The company had signed a three-year agreement with BCCI. With the new law in place, that arrangement has come to an early close.
The New Law
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 20 and the Rajya Sabha a day later. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on August 22.
The law draws a sharp line between different kinds of gaming:
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Promotes: e-sports and online social games, with legal recognition and government backing.
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Bans: all online money games — whether based on skill, chance, or both — along with their advertising and financial transactions.
The government argues the ban will help curb addiction, financial losses, and extreme outcomes such as suicides linked to money gaming. At the same time, it promises to build a legal framework to support e-sports, which are now recognized as a legitimate form of competitive sport.
Industry Fallout
India’s largest real-money gaming platforms — including Dream11, MPL, Zupee, and Gameskraft — have already started suspending paid contests. Dream11 has paused all “cash games and contests” on its platforms Dream Picks and Dream Play, assuring users that balances remain safe and can be withdrawn. Reports suggest the flagship Dream11 app will also suspend money-based contests as the new law takes full effect.
The move represents a turning point for India’s booming online gaming industry. By separating e-sports from real-money gaming, the government aims to encourage skill-based, competitive play while shutting down financial risk-laden models.
For Indian cricket, however, the immediate challenge is more practical: finding a new lead sponsor in time for one of its most-watched tournaments.