Online gaming ban set to deal a massive blow to Indian cricket giants
The advertisements, especially bright during the Indian Premier League, that seemed to bring the entire Indian cricket team into one frame, are now set to be a part of history. Dream11, the title jersey sponsor for Team India, has pulled out of the role. The same online gaming giant was known for its lavish ads featuring not only Indian cricketers but overseas stars as well. However, the recently imposed ban on real-money gaming in India is set to push not only Dream11 but almost the entire gaming industry into a corner. As Dream11 and the likes depart into darkness, the Indian cricket scene is bracing for a larger impact than just losing its title jersey sponsor.
Indian cricket stars set to lose their lucrative deals with Dream11 and the likes after online gaming ban
The Indian legislature recently passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, banning real-money gaming in India. The bill has forced major online gaming companies to shut down their operations in the country. Dream11 has already relinquished its role as the title jersey sponsor for India. Beyond just losing its title sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian cricket setup is set to endure arguably the most brutal impact of the bill.
The ripple effects of the online gaming ban are expected to be felt across the sport, impacting everyone from star players to emerging leagues worldwide that have long relied on funding from gaming companies. Fantasy gaming giants such as Dream11, My11Circle, and other competitors have long been at the core of cricket’s financial ecosystem. Serving as a major driving force behind the IPL, these companies also have a strong history of signing endorsement deals with some of India’s biggest names through the BCCI framework.
Now, according to a recent report, Indian players are set to face significant financial losses as these firms scale back their operations in India. The extravagant advertisements during the IPL and international matches, featuring cricketers promoting fantasy platforms, had collectively brought players an estimated ₹150-200 crore annually.
Taking the hardest hit of the online gaming ban will reportedly be icons like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma. Kohli reportedly earns ₹10-12 crore a year through MPL. Meanwhile Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni pocket about ₹6-7 crore each from Dream11 and Winzo, respectively. Although seasoned stars will likely continue to attract lucrative endorsements elsewhere, younger players who made close to ₹1 crore annually from such partnerships stand to lose a large share of their sponsorship income.
Moreover, the implications stretch beyond individual players. The recent ban has left entire leagues at risk. An instance of the impact was witnessed recently with the European Cricket Network halting operations this week after losing crucial investments tied to Indian gaming companies. While the IPL may absorb the blow of its ₹125 crore annual loss from My11Circle with relative ease, smaller leagues that leaned heavily on gaming sponsorships could struggle to survive. Outside the cricketing sphere, the ban is also forecast to dent India’s advertising industry.
