Indian cricket is searching for a new main sponsor after fantasy sports giant Dream11 pulled out of its $43.6 million deal, following the government’s recent crackdown on online gambling. The sudden exit has left the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) scrambling to find a replacement sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates.
Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports gaming platform, had signed a three-year agreement in July 2023 to become the lead sponsor of both men’s and women’s national cricket teams. The company’s logo has since featured prominently on players’ jerseys and also appeared across multiple Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
However, the Indian Parliament last week passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which criminalises the offering and financing of online gambling-related platforms. Violators of the law could face up to five years in prison. The sweeping ban covers fantasy sports apps, card games, poker platforms, and other online betting products, many of which had become immensely popular among India’s youth.
According to The Indian Express, Dream11 executives met BCCI’s chief executive, Hemang Amin, and conveyed their decision to terminate the contract immediately. “As a result, they won’t be the team’s sponsors for the Asia Cup. The BCCI will float a new tender soon,” a board official was quoted as saying.
With just weeks before the Asia Cup kicks off, the BCCI faces a race against time to secure a new title sponsor. “There’s not much time left, but we are exploring options,” a senior board member told Sportstar.
Dream11 is also a sponsor in global cricket leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League, highlighting the extent of its sporting influence. Its withdrawal from Indian cricket underscores the far-reaching impact of the government’s gaming ban.
Authorities defended the decision, citing rising cases of financial distress, gambling addiction, and even suicides linked to online betting. Officials also claimed that such platforms had been misused for money laundering and terrorism financing, making regulation necessary.
The exit of Dream11 not only poses financial challenges for Indian cricket but also raises questions about the future of fantasy sports in a country where cricket-driven apps had become a cultural phenomenon.
