India’s Online Gaming Ban Could Reshape Cricket’s Economy

The Indian government’s recent ban on real-money gaming through the new Online Gaming Bill is shaping up to be one of the biggest economic shake-ups in cricket’s history. It’s not just a regulatory move — it’s a decision that’s set to ripple across every level of the cricketing world, from international superstars to the emerging leagues around the globe that were heavily funded by gaming companies.

The first big sign of impact came quickly: Dream11 announced it would withdraw its sponsorship of the Indian national team jersey. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Fantasy gaming platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, and others had become deeply embedded in cricket — backing IPL teams, sponsoring tournaments, and signing major endorsement deals with some of the game’s biggest names under the BCCI’s umbrella.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the fallout could hit players' earnings hard. Indian cricketers — often seen in gaming ads during IPL and other matches — are expected to collectively lose between ₹150 to ₹200 crore in endorsement income. That’s a big chunk of the commercial ecosystem surrounding the sport.

Some of the biggest names will be affected:

Virat Kohli reportedly earns ₹10-12 crore annually from MPL.

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni make about ₹6-7 crore each from Dream11 and Winzo.

While these former captains have plenty of endorsement options, it’s the younger players who may feel the pinch the most. Many emerging cricketers earn up to ₹1 crore a year through gaming endorsements — a figure that could now vanish entirely.

“For some players, this wipes out their entire endorsement income,” notes Cricbuzz, citing examples like Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar, for whom this ban cuts out nearly a third of their total brand deals.

But the impact doesn’t stop with individual players. Entire leagues are now at risk, especially those that relied heavily on Indian gaming firms for funding. The European Cricket Network, for instance, has already suspended operations due to the sudden halt in investment from Indian partners.

While the IPL, as the world’s richest cricket league, is expected to weather the storm — even if it loses around ₹125 crore a year from its deal with My11Circle — smaller, up-and-coming leagues may not be so lucky.

Outside of cricket, the ripple effect is already being felt in the advertising world. Online gaming brands made up 7–8% of India’s total advertising market — roughly ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 crore annually. They also contributed up to 20% of the digital ad spend, according to Elara Capital’s VP, Karan Taurani.

“Their brand value and income are bound to decline,” said Taurani. “While players endorse a range of products, real-money gaming formed a significant part of that income. We could see endorsement revenues drop by 20–25% for some of India’s top celebrities.”

In short, what began as a regulatory move is now reshaping the financial landscape of Indian cricket and beyond — with real consequences for players, leagues, and the advertising industry at large.