For more than a decade, Dream11 has been a household name in India’s online gaming space, fueling the rise of fantasy sports and becoming the official jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team. But in 2025, the company finds itself at a dramatic crossroads.
A Ban That Changed the Game
The Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has banned real-money online gaming, bringing fantasy contests, poker, and rummy platforms to a standstill. For Dream11, which thrived on paid fantasy cricket leagues, the regulation is nothing short of a game-changer.
In response, the company has shut down all real-money contests and moved to a free-to-play social gaming model, marking the end of its original business formula.
Breaking Up With Indian Cricket
Dream11’s ₹358 crore sponsorship deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also come to an abrupt end.
- The company officially stepped down as Team India’s jersey sponsor.
- The BCCI, meanwhile, has declared it will no longer partner with online gaming firms in the future.
- With the Asia Cup around the corner, the board is now scrambling to find a new sponsor.
This sponsorship fallout ends a symbolic association that once highlighted the deep ties between cricket and India’s gaming economy.
Dream Sports CEO: “No Legal Battles”
Unlike other firms that might have chosen to contest the decision, Dream11’s parent company Dream Sports, led by co-founder and CEO Harsh Jain, has taken a different path. Jain confirmed the company will not legally challenge the government ban. Instead, they plan to adapt and innovate, referring to the new phase as “Dream11 3.0.”
A Pivot to Financial Services
In perhaps its boldest move yet, Dream11 has announced a diversification into fintech. Its new offering, Dream Money, will allow users to invest in simple financial products such as:
- Gold SIPs starting at ₹10
- Fixed deposits from as little as ₹1,000
This shift reflects Dream11’s attempt to leverage its large user base and trust to enter a more stable, regulated industry.
What Lies Ahead for Dream11?
Dream11’s story is no longer just about fantasy cricket—it’s about resilience and reinvention. While the ban has dismantled its primary business, the company’s pivot toward social gaming and fintech shows a determination to remain relevant in India’s digital economy.
The big question is: Can Dream11 successfully transform from a gaming unicorn into a diversified consumer-tech powerhouse?