Fantasy sports platform Dream 11 has decided to withdraw as the title sponsor of the Indian cricket team a few weeks before the Asia Cup 2025. The media report states that Dream 11 is not ready to continue its sponsor deal. In the new law, all real money gaming platforms including fantasy sports, poker and Rami have been effectively banned.
Parliament has recently passed online gaming promotion and regulation bill 2025, which imposes a full ban on real money online games including fantasy sports, poker and Rami. Only e-Sports and Social Gaming have been permission. Violation may cause a jail of up to three years or a fine of Rs 1 crore.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said on Friday that the board would fully follow the law. Saikia said that if it is not allowed, we will not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country created by the Central Government.
Will the team play the Asia Cup without the title sponsor?
The special thing is that if any other sponsor does not get a place instead of Dream 11 before the tournament starting in UAE on 9 September, then the Indian cricket team can enter the Asia Cup without any title sponsor. Sources said that although Dream 11 branding jersey has already been printed, they will not be used. BCCI Jersey can invite new dialects for sponsor rights. Dream 11 made a deal of Rs 358 crore with BCCI in 2023.
Company transition plan
The new law has completely changed the core operation of Dream 11. According to the media report, Harsh Jain, CEO of Dream Sports, had earlier told the employees in an internal note that there is no “legal way” to continue the paid contest tournament of Dream 11. The company is preparing a transition plan and has informed both full time and contrast workers about this.
Dream 11, which brought back its base to India earlier this year, generated a revenue of Rs 9,600 crore in FY 24, which came mainly from participation in the World Cup. With more than 28 crore users and deep engagement with Indian cricket, this ban is a major setback for the major platforms of Dream Sports. The company is now focusing on its second vertical including Fankode, DreamSetgo and Dream Game Studios.