Overview

• Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill on August 21, banning real‑money online games and introducing criminal penalties for promotion and financing, with presidential assent and implementation next.
• Dream11, India’s current jersey sponsor under a ₹358 crore deal through 2026, has discontinued cash contests and faces substantial GST and regulatory scrutiny, creating an existential threat to its core business.
• BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board will comply with the law and is assessing alternate sponsorship options if the current arrangement becomes impermissible.
• The board also holds a ₹625 crore 2024–28 IPL fantasy agreement with My11Circle, which could be affected by the same restrictions on real‑money gaming.
• Coverage highlights a recurring pattern in which past jersey sponsors such as Sahara, Star India, Oppo and Byju’s later ran into major legal, regulatory or financial trouble.