Sign in Subscribe
Cricket (Sport)

Indian Cricket Seeks New Sponsor After Dream11 Pulls Out Amid Online Gambling Ban

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The sudden withdrawal of Dream11 as the lead sponsor of India's national cricket teams due to the country's ban on online gambling has left the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) scrambling to find a replacement. This move is a direct result of the Indian parliament passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which criminalizes offering and financing online gambling, including fantasy sports platforms like Dream11. The BCCI plans to launch a new sponsorship tender soon, but faces pressure to secure a new sponsor quickly, given the upcoming Asia Cup scheduled for September 9 in the UAE.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dream11 ended its $43.6 million deal with the BCCI following India's online gambling ban, citing the new law's penalties for offering and financing online gambling.
  • The ban affects card games, poker, and fantasy sports platforms, including popular Indian fantasy cricket apps, and was enacted to address concerns over gambling's negative impact on youth, including financial distress and addiction.
  • The BCCI plans to launch a new sponsorship tender soon to find a replacement for Dream11, with officials acknowledging the challenge due to the tight timeline.
  • The loss of Dream11's sponsorship comes during a sensitive time for Indian cricket, which relies heavily on commercial partnerships, and may reshape how the sport engages with corporate sponsors in the future.
  • The Asia Cup will be the first major tournament without Dream11's sponsorship on the team jerseys, marking a significant change for Indian cricket.
  • Dream11 had sponsored both the men's and women's national cricket teams since July 2023 and was a major player in fantasy sports, also sponsoring leagues like the Caribbean Premier League and Australia's Big Bash League.
  • The Indian government's decision to ban online gambling has directly impacted cricket sponsorships, forcing major companies like Dream11 to pull out.
  • The BCCI has limited time to secure a new sponsor before the Asia Cup, which officials told Sportstar is a pressing concern.

Statistics:

  • The value of Dream11's deal with the BCCI was $43.6 million.
  • The Indian parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which criminalizes offering and financing online gambling.
  • The new law imposes penalties of up to five years in prison.
  • The Asia Cup is scheduled for September 9 in the UAE.
  • The BCCI plans to launch a new sponsorship tender soon to find a replacement for Dream11.

Sources:

  • "Indian cricket is now searching for a new main sponsor after Dream11 ended its $43.6 million deal." - Published on the website of a prominent Indian news outlet.
  • "Dream11 informed the BCCI they could no longer continue sponsorship due to the new law." - Published on the website of a prominent Indian news outlet.
  • "The Indian parliament recently passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill." - Published on the website of a prominent Indian news outlet.
  • "Dream11 had become the lead sponsor of both the men's and women's national cricket teams in July 2023." - Published on the website of a prominent Indian news outlet.
  • "The new law affects card games, poker, and fantasy sports platforms, including popular Indian fantasy cricket apps." - Published on the website of a prominent Indian news outlet.

Read more