Indian Government slaps BCCI with close to ₹400 Crores penalty before Asia Cup 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has backed the National Sports Governance Law, 2025, and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Secretary Devajit Saikia also confirmed that the Indian cricket board will end its existing sponsorship agreement with Dream11 if needed.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, aims to ban all real-money gaming platforms and their promoters. This could impact the BCCI, as Dream11 sponsors Team India and My11Circle hold IPL fantasy rights for the next three years.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia Opens Up on Dream11 Sponsorship After New Law

The board has stated that the board will follow India’s laws regarding sponsorships. Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board will only engage with companies allowed under the new regulations. He said that BCCI did not engage with cigarette and liquor brands once restrictions were imposed.

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“Once the act comes into force, we will look into it, examine it, and if it’s permissible, then we will take sponsorship (from online betting and gaming companies), if it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything," Saikia told The Times of India.

“Take the example of cigarettes and liquor. Has the BCCI taken any sponsorship from the cigarettes and liquor companies, once taking sponsorship from these kinds of companies was banned? So, whatever is permissible in the laws in force in our country, we will do that only. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country which is framed by the central government," he added.

India maintains a Ban on Bilateral Cricket with Pakistan

The Indian government has revealed its stance on playing cricket against Pakistan. India will continue its ban on bilateral cricket with Pakistan while permitting participation in multi-nation tournaments under the new National Sports Governance Law, 2025.

This policy allows the board to compete in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, where India will face Pakistan on September 14. Pakistan cannot tour India unless it is part of a multi-nation competition.

The clarification comes after heightened tensions between the two countries. A deadly terror attack took place in Kashmir, followed by a military conflict between the nations in May.

Despite criticism, the government has confirmed that bilateral ties remain suspended, while participation in international events will continue as per policy.

We Will Follow Everything in True Letter and Spirit - Devajit Saikia

Devajit Saikia said that the board will follow the central government’s policies on all sporting matters, including sponsorships and participation in international events.

He added that the government takes into account the interests of players, teams, and future tournaments hosted in India. Saikia made it clear that the BCCI will not deviate from these directives and will implement them fully in the true letter and spirit.

“The central government has taken the interest of the players, the teams and also, the events that are going to be hosted by our country in the future. So, all these things are very nicely taken by the government of India and we fully endorse the view expressed by the central government and we will 100% abide by the policy framed by the central government," Saikia said.

“The BCCI will not go a single inch against the government’s policy. We will fully abide by all policies of the central government, whether it is participating in an international sporting event or regarding sponsorship. We will follow everything in true letter and spirit," he added.

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