BCCI to end association with sponsor Dream11 after ban on online money games

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Dream11 are set to part ways after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed by both houses of Parliament on Thursday. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the development, stating that the Indian cricket board "will not indulge with any such organisations" in the future.

"Looking at the current situation and keeping in mind that the bill has become an Act, it would be really difficult for BCCI to continue with Dream11. So, the association with Dream11 is over and BCCI will look for a future course of action, including a new sponsor," Saikia told Aaj Tak.

Dream11 and My11Circle together contribute approximately Rs 1,000 crore to the BCCI through title sponsorships of the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League. Dream11, in particular, signed a contract worth USD 44 million (Rs 358 crore) for the 2023-2026 cycle as Team India's title sponsor.

However, the passage of the government bill-which clearly states that "no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game"-has dealt a major blow to the revenue streams of all major fantasy sports companies in India.

In addition to Team India, Dream11 is also the official fantasy partner of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Dream11 will not face any penalties as the existing contract includes a clause safeguarding the sponsor if its primary business faces a government ban. As a result, Dream11 has no obligation to make any further payments to the BCCI for the remainder of the contract.

In a statement issued after the law was passed in the Upper House of Parliament, Dream11 said: "We have always been a law-abiding company and have always conducted our business in compliance with the law. While we believe that progressive legislation would have been the way forward, we will respect the law and fully comply with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025." Meanwhile, endorsements of such fantasy gaming apps by individual cricketers are also expected to take a major hit.