Team India to play without Dream11 Jersey as BCCI ends Sponsorship after Online Gaming Bill

The Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) has officially ended its title sponsorship deal with fantasy platform Dream11. The decision comes after the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which prohibits real-money gaming, advertisement, and sponsorships. This bill has left BCCI with only one option, to cut ties with Dream11 and also leave Team India without a lead sponsor just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025 mega event.

Dream11 Exits due to the new law.

Dream11 had signed a three-year deal with BCCI in July 2023 worth ₹358 crore, replacing edtech company Byju’s as the main sponsor of the Indian cricket team. The company is also a key player in the Indian Premier League(IPL), sponsoring multiple franchises and promoting several players as brand ambassadors, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board will not tie up with such companies in the future. “BCCI and Dream11 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 the future,” he said

The new Online Gaming Bill aims to promote e-sports and online social games while banning harmful real-money gaming practices. The law targets financial transactions, advertisements, and operations linked to online money gaming, irrespective of whether they are skill-or chance-based.

BCCI is searching for a new sponsor

With the Asia Cup starting on September 9 in the UAE, the BCCI faces a short timeline to secure a replacement sponsor. Reports indicate that companies like Toyota and a fintech startup are exploring the opportunity, though the official tender process has not yet begun. Industry experts believe that the front-of-jersey slot is highly valuable and BCCI is likely to find a new partner despite the time pressure. The sponsorship market for fantasy sports in India is significant, with platforms spending over ₹5000 crore annually on marketing. The new law is expected to reshape this advertising ecosystem considerably.

Dream11’s parent company, Dream Sports, has also pivoted to a financial services app called Dream Money, offering gold and fixed deposit investment options, marking a move away from real-money gaming.

As Team India prepares for the Asia Cup, fans may see the national team compete without a front-of-jersey sponsor for the first matches, while BCCI finalizes a new partnership.