With the Asia Cup 2025 less than three weeks away, the Indian cricket team finds itself in an unusual – and potentially embarrassing situation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have to send the Men in Blue into the tournament without a lead sponsor on their jerseys, following the Government of India’s crackdown on online gambling platforms.
Rajya Sabha Approval Adds to Dream11’s Woes
The Online Gaming Bill, which aims to curb betting and real-money gaming, has been cleared by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and now awaits the President’s signature to become law. If ratified, companies like Dream11 – currently India’s official team sponsor will be barred from advertising on players’ kits.
This leaves the BCCI in a tricky position, scrambling to either negotiate an emergency sponsorship deal or risk a rare sponsorless campaign – something unheard of for a cricketing powerhouse like India.
BCCI Reacts to Sponsorship Crisis
A senior BCCI official told the source “We are aware of the situation and are in touch with the concerned authorities and partners. At the moment, it’s not a law. But as per the bill, it doesn’t look like the men’s and women’s teams will be able to carry the logo. We are in discussion with the legal team.”
With Dream11 also deeply invested in the IPL – sponsoring nine of ten franchises – the potential fallout could be massive, impacting the fantasy sports industry and cricket’s commercial ecosystem in India.
What the New Law Says
The proposed Online Gaming Bill seeks to:
- Ban all real-money games – including skill-based ones and block financial transactions related to them.
- Prohibit advertising of such platforms, with violators facing up to two years’ jail and fines up to Rs 50 lakh.
- Empower search and arrest without a warrant for suspected violations.
- Impose harsh penalties – up to Rs 1 crore for running illegal games, rising to Rs 2 crore for repeat offences.
The Bigger Picture
The timing couldn’t be worse for the BCCI. With the Asia Cup serving as a key preparatory stage for the 2026 World Cup, losing a major sponsor creates not only a financial hit but also a visual void in what is one of cricket’s most commercially valuable teams.
Unless a last-minute deal is struck with another brand, India may take the field in sponsorless jerseys – a throwback to a bygone era, but for all the wrong reasons.
