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Online Gaming Bill Puts Dream11’s ₹358 Crore Deal With BCCI In Jeopardy

Rajgeeta Yadav

BCCI Issues Big Statement [Source: AFP]BCCI Issues Big Statement [Source: AFP]

After Indian Parliament passed the Online Gaming Bill on Wednesday, August 21, many began wondering what this means for Dream11’s sponsorship of Indian cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its stance clear, it fully supports two new government bills: the National Sports Governance Law, 2025 and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. 

According to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the board will follow these laws “in true letter and spirit.”

These new regulations could significantly affect Indian cricket. Firstly, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill seeks to completely ban all real-money gaming platforms and their promoters. 

BCCI Clarifies Stance On Dream11 Amid Online Gaming Crackdown

This includes Dream11, which currently serves as the official shirt sponsor for Team India. Since the platform’s logo appears on Indian players’ jerseys across all formats, this potential ban has raised several questions about the future of their deal.

Speaking to The Times of India, Saikia explained how the BCCI will handle the situation:

“Once the act comes into force, we will look into it, examine it and if it’s permissible, then we will take sponsorship (from online betting and gaming companies), if it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything."

“Take the example of cigarettes and liquor. Has the BCCI taken any sponsorship from the cigarettes and liquor companies once taking sponsorship from these kinds of companies was banned? So, whatever is permissible in the laws in force in our country, we will do that only. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country which is framed by the central government," he added.

Dream11 currently pays the BCCI a massive ₹358 crore for sponsorship rights from July 2023 to March 2026. However, this deal may not survive once the Online Gaming Bill is fully enforced.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Governance Law, 2025 also brings big changes. It formally confirms the government’s policy on cricketing ties with Pakistan. Under this law, India can face Pakistan only in multi-nation tournaments, such as the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled for September. Bilateral series with Pakistan remain banned and Pakistan players are not allowed to play in India except during multi-nation events.

Saikia reiterated that the BCCI will always align itself with government policies:

“The BCCI will not go a single inch against the government’s policy. We will fully abide by all policies of the central government, whether it is participating in an international sporting event or regarding sponsorship. We will follow everything in true letter and spirit."

Notably, Dream11 had taken over as Team India’s shirt sponsor after Byju’s withdrew in 2023 due to financial struggles. Byju’s previously paid ₹5.5 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.7 crore for ICC matches, but ended the deal due to cost-cutting measures and financial troubles.