Dream11 Ends ₹358-Crore Jersey Deal After Online Gaming Ban Hits Real-Money Fantasy
Dream11 Pulls Out As Team India Sponsor After Online Gaming Ban
Fantasy-sports giant Dream11 has told the BCCI it can no longer stay on India’s jersey after Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025. The new law bans all real-money games—wiping out the company’s main source of revenue—and outlaws advertising that “directly or indirectly” promotes such play. With the Asia Cup barely a fortnight away, the Indian team suddenly needs a new front-of-shirt partner.
What The New Law Says
The Bill blocks any platform from offering, marketing or even endorsing real-money gaming.
Social or subscription-based games remain legal, but paid fantasy contests vanish overnight.
Sponsors affected by a change in legislation can exit contracts without penalty—an escape clause Dream11 has invoked with the BCCI.
Money At Stake
Deal / Stakeholder | Value (₹ crore) | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Dream11 – Team India jersey | 358 | 2023-26 | Terminated |
My11Circle – IPL fantasy partner | 125 per year | 2024-27 | Under review |
Combined fantasy spend with BCCI | ~1,000 | Various | In jeopardy |
Almost 90% of fantasy-sports revenue came from real-money games, so the ban undercuts both Dream11 and its rivals.
Immediate Fallout For Indian Cricket
Empty Jersey Spot
The BCCI must float a fresh tender in days to secure a sponsor before India’s first Asia Cup match on 9 September.No Penalty Fee
Because the exit stems from a legal change, Dream11 avoids hefty break-up costs written into the contract.Ripple Through Player Endorsements
Top cricketers who fronted fantasy-sports ads—MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah—will see those deals paused or cancelled.
Wider Industry Shock
Dream11’s pull-out signals tough times for other platforms:
My11Circle pays ₹125 crore annually for IPL rights and may follow suit.
Marketing budgets worth an estimated ₹5,000 crore a year could disappear from sport, entertainment and digital media.
Leagues from football’s ISL to kabaddi’s PKL, which rely on fantasy partners, must seek fresh revenue streams.
What Happens Next
The BCCI remains confident of finding replacement sponsors thanks to cricket’s massive reach. Consumer-tech firms, financial-services brands and telecom players are viewed as prime candidates. Meanwhile, Dream11 says it will pivot to free-to-play games and explore overseas markets, but insiders concede growth will stall until regulations ease.