New gaming law forces Dream11 to pull out as Team India’s sponsor

Dubai: Team India's major sponsor Dream11 has reportedly ended its sponsorship deal following the implementation of a new bill regulating online gaming in India. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, recently passed by the Indian Parliament, bans all real-money gaming services — directly impacting companies like Dream11 that operate in this space.

While there has been no official confirmation from either the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or Dream11, multiple media reports suggest that the fantasy gaming platform is no longer interested in continuing its association with the national cricket team under the current legal landscape.

This development comes at a crucial time, with the Asia Cup 2025 set to begin in the UAE in early September. The tournament is one of the most high-profile events in the cricketing calendar, and the absence of a lead sponsor would be a significant setback for BCCI, both financially and from a branding perspective.

Sources indicate that the BCCI is now preparing to invite fresh bids for the lead sponsorship rights. However, with time running out, there is growing concern that the Indian team may take the field without a title sponsor on their jerseys if a new partner is not finalised before the tournament kicks off on September 9.