New Delhi: Team India’s jersey sponsorship is in jeopardy ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup after the Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming platforms and advertisements related to them. The legislation has directly impacted fantasy sports platforms such as Dream11, which currently serves as the principal sponsor of the Indian cricket team.
Following the passage of the bill, companies like Dream11, MPL and Zupee suspended their real-money operations in compliance with the law. Dream11, which signed a ₹358-crore deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be the lead jersey sponsor until March 2026, now faces uncertainty over continuing the association. The new law makes it illegal for any real-money gaming platform to advertise or promote their services in any form, which includes sponsoring sports teams.
Reacting to the development, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board will strictly comply with the law. “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country that is framed by the central government,” Saikia told news agency AFP on Friday, making it clear that the cricket board will not continue with any arrangement that violates the new provisions.
The uncertainty has prompted the BCCI to consider contingency plans. Reports indicate that the board may soon invite fresh bids for the national team’s jersey sponsorship to ensure there is no disruption during major tournaments. With the Asia Cup fast approaching, there is now a strong possibility that Team India could play the tournament without any front-of-jersey branding if an alternative sponsor is not finalised in time.
The passage of the bill marks a significant change in the gaming and sports sponsorship landscape, as fantasy gaming companies have been among the biggest investors in Indian cricket over the past few years. The immediate impact of this legislation is being felt not only by gaming platforms but also by sports bodies and teams that relied heavily on such sponsorship deals.
The jinxed jersey
The ban on Dream11 has led social media users sharing memes on the companies, which had previously sponsored the Team India jersey but were either shut down, faced bankruptcy and litigations or banned. The users were quick to point out past sponsors like BJYUs, Sahara, Star, among others.
जिन कंपनियों ने भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम की जर्सी की स्पोंसरशिप की, वे बर्बाद या बंद हो गई। इस लिस्ट में नया नाम Dream11 का है। आज भारत सरकार ने एक नया कानून लाकर फैंटेसी स्पोर्ट्स को प्रतिबंधित कर दिया। pic.twitter.com/Kh0hD1qLTO
— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) August 21, 2025