Dream11 to End Title Sponsorship of Indian Cricket Team Following Online Gaming Bill 2025?

Sports giant Dream11 has indicated to the BCCI that it may be unable to continue as the title sponsor of the Indian cricket team following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in both Houses of Parliament. The development comes after the central government’s legislation effectively bans real money gaming, a major revenue source for fantasy sports companies, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on August 20.

Dream11 and My11Circle together contribute approximately ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI through their sponsorship of the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dream11 currently holds a 2023-2026 contract worth $44 million (₹358 crore) as the title sponsor of the Indian team.

According to PTI, the new legislation prohibits any person from offering, promoting, or advertising online money gaming services, which has effectively eliminated the primary revenue stream for major fantasy sports platforms in India. While social and subscription-based gaming are allowed under the law, real money games—which account for the bulk of industry revenue—are banned.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declined to comment on the development. Sources indicate that Dream11 may not face penalties under the contract, which includes a waiver clause in the event of government regulation that affects the company’s ability to operate.

Dream11 is also the official fantasy partner of the Indian Super League, but the ban on real money gaming is expected to impact revenues across its operations. In a statement following the bill’s passage, the company said: “We have always been a law-abiding company and have 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.”

An industry insider, speaking to PTI on condition of anonymity, said that the impact on the fantasy gaming market will be significant, as real money gaming represents roughly 90 percent of revenue for most major players. The source added that the fate of My11Circle, which pays ₹125 crore annually to the BCCI as the IPL’s official fantasy partner, remains uncertain and may follow a similar path as Dream11. The insider also noted that individual endorsements by cricketers with fantasy apps could be adversely affected.

The new legislation marks a major shift for the Indian fantasy sports ecosystem, raising questions about sponsorship revenues for the national team and IPL, as well as the sustainability of the broader market under the ban on real money gaming.