The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a major setback in its sponsorship efforts after the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 has severely impacted revenue streams for fantasy sports companies.

 

According to media reports, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has announced that it has stopped all real-money games following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money online gaming. The company has also informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will be unable to continue as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams, as its primary revenue stream has taken a significant hit.

 

Dream11 currently holds a sponsorship deal worth approximately INR 358 crore (USD 44 million) with the BCCI for the 2023-2026 period. Together with My11Circle, another fantasy sports platform, these companies contribute nearly INR 1,000 crore to Indian cricket through team sponsorships and IPL partnerships.

 

See you in our second innings. pic.twitter.com/oEfBNiC4dd

— Dream11 (@Dream11) August 22, 2025

 

The new law clearly states that “no person shall offer aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game.” While BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declined to comment, Indian media reports confirmed that Dream11 might not face a major penalty due to a specific clause in the contract that allows a waiver in case of a government regulation.

 

Dream11 issued an official statement saying, “This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game. When we started this journey 18 years ago as a Sports Tech company, we were not even 1% of the size of the USA Fantasy Sports industry. Dream11's Fantasy Sports product was our way to 'Make Sports Better' for all of India. With this passion, belief, and the spirit of Made in India, for India, by Indians, we became the largest fantasy sports platform in the world.”

 

The company added, “We have always been and will always be a law abiding company, and have conducted our business in compliance with the laws. While we believe that progressive regulations would have been the right way forward, we will respect the law and will fully comply with 'The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025'.”

 

Dream11 also highlighted its future plans beyond fantasy sports. “We are fortunate to have a portfolio of amazing Sports Tech businesses including FanCode, DreamSetGo and Dream Game Studios, along with our Dream Sports Foundation. These will continue to power our vision to 'Make Sports Better' and support our Hon'ble Prime Minister's ambition of making India a global sporting superpower. Thank you for all your love and trust. See you in our second innings,” the statement concluded.

 

An industry expert said, “The writing was always on the cards once the real money gaming was banned in the bill. That itself accounts for at least 90% of the revenue of all major players in the fantasy market. The next interesting phase will be what My11Circle, which pays Rs 125 crore annually to BCCI for being the official fantasy partner of IPL, does. They might also have to go the Dream11 way.”

 

The ban will also impact individual endorsements of cricketers with fantasy gaming apps, which formed a significant part of their commercial deals.