Fantasy sports giant Dream11 has informed the BCCI that it will not be able to continue as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in parliament. The company, which recently shut down its real money games, expects a major financial hit since such games account for nearly 90% of its revenue.
Dream11 currently has a sponsorship deal worth around US$ 44 million (INR 358 crore approx.) with the BCCI for the period 2023–2026. Together, Dream11 and My11Circle contribute close to INR 1000 crore through sponsorship of the Indian teams and the IPL. With the ban on real money gaming, the revenue model of these companies has been severely disrupted, raising questions over the future of such deals.
The new bill clearly prohibits any person from offering or advertising online money gaming services. However, it allows social gaming and subscription-based platforms to continue. This clause means Dream11 is not likely to face heavy penalties, as the agreement with the BCCI includes provisions for exemptions in case of regulatory changes.
In an official statement, Dream11 said it has always operated within legal frameworks and will fully comply with the new law, even though it hoped for more progressive regulations. Industry insiders believe the exit of Dream11 was inevitable once the ban was formalized, and similar challenges could soon confront My11Circle, which pays INR 125 crore annually as the IPL’s official fantasy partner.
Experts also predict that beyond team sponsorships, cricketers’ individual endorsements with fantasy apps are likely to take a substantial hit, signaling a broader shift in India’s fantasy sports ecosystem under the new regulatory environment.
