Fantasy sports giant Dream11 has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will not be able to continue as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams following the recent ban on real money gaming. The development comes after the central government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in both houses of Parliament.
Dream11 currently holds a sponsorship deal worth approximately USD 44 million (INR 358 crore) with the BCCI for the 2023–2026 cycle. Together, Dream11 and My11Circle contribute nearly INR 1000 crore to Indian cricket through team sponsorships and partnerships in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The new legislation prohibits any person or entity from offering or promoting online money gaming services or advertisements related to such games. With real money gaming now banned, the primary revenue stream for fantasy sports companies has been eliminated.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declined to comment on the matter or the way forward. However, it is understood that Dream11 may not face a hefty penalty for ending the contract early, as the agreement includes a waiver clause for situations arising due to government regulations.
While the bill allows social gaming and subscription-based services, the ban on real money gaming removes the most significant revenue source for fantasy platforms. According to industry estimates, real money gaming accounts for nearly 90% of revenue for major players in this sector.
Dream11 acknowledged the situation in an official statement:
“We have always been a law-abiding company and have always conducted our business in compliance with the law. While we believe that progressive law would have been the way forward, we will respect the law and fully comply with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025.”
Industry experts believe the next big question is the future of My11Circle, which currently pays around INR 125 crore annually to BCCI as the official fantasy partner of the IPL. Analysts also predict that individual cricketer endorsements linked to fantasy gaming apps will be significantly impacted by the ban.