Dream11 Pulls Out As Team India's Lead Sponsor After New Gaming Law

Days ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, fantasy sports major Dream11 has reportedly decided to back out as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket team.

The move comes after the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025’ was passed in the Indian Parliament, which bans real-money gaming platforms like Dream11.

“BCCI and Dream 11 are discontinuing their relationship after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed. BCCI will ensure not to indulge with any such organisations ahead in future,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency ANI.

Following this development, Dream11 will not be sponsoring the upcoming Asia Cup in Dubai, forcing the BCCI to urgently float a fresh tender to secure a new team sponsor.

However, Dream11 will not face any penalties for the abrupt termination of its sponsorship. Its contract with the BCCI includes a clause that protects the company from penalties if its core business is affected by government legislation.

“Reportedly, the pullout will not attract any penalty since the contract includes a clause which stipulates that if the sponsor’s core business is impacted by any law brought by the government, they won’t be liable to pay anything to the cricket board,” an official told The Indian Express.

Since the new online gaming bill imposes a blanket ban on real-money fantasy contests, Dream11 is able to end its sponsorship deal without any financial repercussions.

Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11’s parent, Dream Sports, became India’s largest fantasy gaming platform, with a valuation of around $8 Bn. It recently reversed flipped to Indian from US.

In July 2023, it inked a three-year sponsorship deal with BCCI worth INR 358 Cr, taking over from Byju’s.

The startup also has significant involvement in IPL franchise deals and partnerships with prominent cricket players as brand ambassadors.

Dream11 also holds a substantial global footprint as an official partner for cricket leagues like the Caribbean Premier League, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and Australia’s Big Bash League, among others.

(The story will be updates soon.)

The post Dream11 Pulls Out As Team India’s Lead Sponsor After New Gaming Law appeared first on Inc42 Media.