The ban on online games involving money is set to dent sports advertising and sponsorship revenue, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcaster JioStar expected to take a major hit, according to industry executives.
Fantasy sports firms, which spend more than Rs 5,000 crore annually on advertising, are among the biggest backers of cricket properties. A large share of their spends goes into marquee tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and International Cricket Council (ICC) events, the executives said.
It is also likely to impact the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled for September 9 to 28. It will air on Sony Pictures Networks India.
Dream11, the current jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team, signed a Rs 358 crore deal in July 2023 that runs till 2026. My11Circle, an official IPL partner, committed Rs 625 crore in February 2024 for a deal valid till 2028.
JioStar, which owns media rights for the IPL, ICC and BCCI, could face a revenue hit as fantasy platforms are among the largest TV and digital advertisers for cricket. Both Dream11 and My11Circle were key sponsors on Star Sports and JioHotstar during IPL 2025.
“Fantasy sports companies have been major contributors to cricket advertising. A ban will have an impact,” said Shashi Sinha, executive chairman, IPG Mediabrands.
Dream11 spent Rs 2,964 crore on ads in 2022-23, while Games24x7, which owns My11Circle and RummyCircle, spent Rs 1,421 crore.
Redseer estimates cricket drives 85-90% of fantasy sports revenues, with the IPL as the biggest growth engine. During IPL 2024, the sector generated $510 million in gross gaming revenue, up 27% year-on-year.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, drafted by the electronics and information technology ministry, seeks to ban all online games involving money. The bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha.
Fantasy sports firms, which spend more than Rs 5,000 crore annually on advertising, are among the biggest backers of cricket properties. A large share of their spends goes into marquee tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and International Cricket Council (ICC) events, the executives said.
It is also likely to impact the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled for September 9 to 28. It will air on Sony Pictures Networks India.
Dream11, the current jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team, signed a Rs 358 crore deal in July 2023 that runs till 2026. My11Circle, an official IPL partner, committed Rs 625 crore in February 2024 for a deal valid till 2028.
JioStar, which owns media rights for the IPL, ICC and BCCI, could face a revenue hit as fantasy platforms are among the largest TV and digital advertisers for cricket. Both Dream11 and My11Circle were key sponsors on Star Sports and JioHotstar during IPL 2025.
“Fantasy sports companies have been major contributors to cricket advertising. A ban will have an impact,” said Shashi Sinha, executive chairman, IPG Mediabrands.
Dream11 spent Rs 2,964 crore on ads in 2022-23, while Games24x7, which owns My11Circle and RummyCircle, spent Rs 1,421 crore.
Redseer estimates cricket drives 85-90% of fantasy sports revenues, with the IPL as the biggest growth engine. During IPL 2024, the sector generated $510 million in gross gaming revenue, up 27% year-on-year.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, drafted by the electronics and information technology ministry, seeks to ban all online games involving money. The bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha.
