Team India might be in danger of playing the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 event without a jersey sponsor, as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have imposed a ban on gaming & fantasy apps. The new rule came to the fore when the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was passed. The recent imposition on a bill bans any and all forms of online gambling and fantasy sports, such as Dream11, MyCircle11, and several apps that promote betting.
Notably, Dream11 has been India's jersey sponsor since July 2023. Their initial agreement saw the sponsorship rights up to three years till 2026. However, the Board secretary Devajit Saikia is steadfast that the BCCI will adhere to the rules of the country.
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"If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country that is framed by the central government," Saikia told news agency AFP on Friday.
For the unversed, on Friday, August 22, Dream11 also issued an official statement confirming that "cash games & contests have been stopped after the bill was passed in the Indian parliament.
What does the new bill say?
The bill has imposed a strict ban on the promotion of online money games, and betting has been criminalized. The offenders still indulging in these practices will be put in prison for up to five years. According to Sportstar, the government figures state that the fantasy sports platforms had stripped a whopping USD 2.3 billion annually from 450 million.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the news on the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill', on X & stated:
"This Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament, highlights our commitment towards making India a hub for gaming, innovation, and creativity. It will encourage e-sports and online social games. At the same time, it will save our society from the harmful effects of online money games."
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It remains to be seen if the Suryakumar Yadav-led India will have a jersey sponsor for the Asia Cup, or they will play without one. As of now, BCCI have not given any official statement about who will replace Dream11 as title jersey sponsors.
