Dream11 pulls out after new gaming law, BCCI scrambles for fresh sponsor ahead of Asia Cup

Just 16 days before the start of the Asia Cup 2025, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has reportedly withdrawn as Team India’s lead jersey sponsor.

This sudden move follows the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money fantasy platforms in India.

Dream11 is now “not willing to continue its deal” with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), according to multiple media reports.

Dream11 had signed a lucrative three-year contract with the BCCI in mid-2023, valued at ₹358 crore, paying ₹3 crore per home match and ₹1 crore per away match.

However, under the new law, real-money gaming operations are no longer permitted, rendering Dream11’s continuation as a sponsor legally untenable.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the board’s commitment to compliance, stating, “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country framed by the central government.”

With jerseys already printed bearing Dream11 branding, the BCCI is now racing against time to secure a new sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on Sep 9 in the UAE.

If they fail to do so, the Indian team may play without any branding on their front jersey — a rare scenario for a team with such high commercial visibility.

Industry insiders suggest that BCCI is likely to invite fresh bids, and potential contenders reportedly include corporate giants like Tata Group, Reliance, Adani, as well as fintech firms such as Zerodha, Groww, and consumer-facing brands in automobiles and FMCG.

Dream11’s exit adds to a list of sponsorship deals that have faltered under legal or financial stress. Previous sponsors such as Sahara, Star India, Oppo, and BYJU’s faced various crises — from regulatory scrutiny to financial defaults—before their contracts ended prematurely.