Dream11 withdraws from lucrative cricket sponsorship following India’s gambling ban
Indian cricket is looking for a new main sponsor after fantasy sports gaming platform Dream11 pulled out of a deal worth $43.6m following the government’s ban on online gambling.
Dream11, the biggest online gaming platform in the country, became the lead sponsor of the men’s and women’s national teams after signing a three-year deal in July 2023. The Dream11 logo is printed on the jerseys of the Indian players and it is also the sponsor of several Indian Premier League franchises.
Last week, the Indian parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, criminalising the offering and financing of such games, with offenders facing up to five years in prison.
The Indian Express newspaper reported that representatives of Dream11 visited the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and informed its chief executive, Hemang Amin, that they won’t be able to continue.
“As a result, they won’t be the team’s sponsors for the Asia Cup. The BCCI will float a new tender soon,” the daily said, quoting a BCCI official.
Dream11 is also the official partner of the Caribbean Premier League and sponsors Australia’s Big Bash League.
