Guwahati
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has clarified why the board ended its contract with Dream11, the Indian team’s jersey sponsor. The decision followed the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill in Parliament last week, which bans all forms of online money gaming.
Dream11 had signed a three-year agreement with the BCCI in 2023, replacing Byju’s as the lead sponsor. The deal was supposed to run until March 2026. However, Saikia explained that the new law forced the board to cut the contract short. “Because of the new law, they are no longer part of the sponsorship deal. We had six months left, but now it has ended,” he said.
The BCCI has already floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting fresh bids for a sponsorship contract lasting until 2027. Saikia said the board is confident of finding new partners and confirmed that rates have been slightly increased for the new deal.
The Online Gaming Bill, recently approved by both Houses of Parliament, aims to promote e-sports and online social games while outlawing real-money gaming. The law prohibits offering or advertising money-based games, regardless of whether they involve skill or chance.
The government believes the ban will help prevent problems linked to gambling addiction, financial losses, and even suicides. At the same time, the law gives official recognition to e-sports, which will now be supported under a dedicated framework by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
