New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally ended its sponsorship agreement with fantasy gaming giant Dream11, following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans both operations and advertisements of online money-based games.
Dream11, which signed a three-year contract worth ₹358 crore in 2023 to sponsor the Indian cricket team, had earlier informed the BCCI that it would withdraw from the arrangement citing mounting revenue losses in the wake of the new law. The deal was originally set to run until 2026, but both sides confirmed its termination on Monday.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating, “The BCCI is ending its relationship with Dream11 after the passage of the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill, 2025. The board will ensure that it does not engage with any organization that falls under this prohibited category in the future.”
Dream11’s exit marks a significant shift in Indian cricket sponsorships, as fantasy gaming platforms had emerged as some of the biggest backers of national sports in recent years. Apart from cricket, Dream11 has also been a fantasy partner for the Indian Super League (ISL), the country’s premier football tournament.
The new Online Gaming Bill was passed in Parliament with the objective of regulating the sector, bringing all online gaming apps under a legal framework, and putting an end to digital betting and fraudulent gaming practices. A government report had highlighted how such platforms were being misused for large-scale black money laundering, prompting decisive legislative action.
With the end of this partnership, the BCCI is now in search of fresh sponsors to replace Dream11 in what has long been one of the most lucrative sponsorship spaces in Indian sport. Industry insiders suggest that traditional consumer brands, fintech companies, and tech giants may step in, though the absence of fantasy gaming firms will significantly reshape the sponsorship landscape for cricket in India.