Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni lose ₹200 crore gaming ban
A recent report highlights the heavy financial setback caused by the Online Gaming Ban, revealing that Indian cricket’s biggest icons, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni, could collectively lose nearly ₹200 crore in brand endorsements and sponsorship deals.
Online Gaming Ban Hits Indian Cricket: Stars Face ₹200 Crore Loss
The recently imposed ban on real-money gaming through the Online Gaming Bill is shaping up to be one of the most consequential economic decisions in Indian cricket’s modern history. What may seem like a regulatory policy is, in fact, a storm sweeping across the cricketing ecosystem, leaving behind a massive financial dent—not only for companies but also for some of the country’s most celebrated stars.
Cricket in India is not just a sport; it is a billion-dollar industry where every boundary hit or wicket taken carries commercial weight. Over the years, fantasy sports companies like Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, and Winzo have become deeply intertwined with cricket. They were not just sponsors; they were financial engines driving the IPL, bilateral series, and even the endorsement incomes of top cricketers. With the government’s ban now in place, this engine has abruptly stalled.
The First Major Blow: Dream11 Steps BackThe clearest sign of the ripple effect came when Dream11 withdrew as the official sponsor of Team India’s jersey. For years, the brand was front and center whenever fans tuned in to watch the Men in Blue. Its exit leaves a conspicuous hole in cricket’s commercial fabric. But this is only the beginning. Industry insiders already anticipate other gaming companies to follow suit, cutting ties not just with the national team but with franchises and tournaments that once thrived on their sponsorships.
This vacuum is a huge concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had welcomed these companies as some of its biggest financial partners. The IPL—the world’s richest cricket tournament—relied heavily on fantasy gaming firms that poured crores into team sponsorships, ground branding, and digital promotions. Now, much of that money will vanish overnight.
Star Cricketers Hit HardA detailed Cricbuzz report shed light on the most direct impact: the cricketers themselves.
- Rohit Sharma pockets ₹6–7 crore from Dream11.
- MS Dhoni, one of the most visible faces in the fantasy gaming space, reportedly earns a similar amount through his deal with Winzo.
For players of their stature, losing one or two endorsement deals may not shake their financial foundation—they are global icons with a range of brand partners. But what makes this situation more troubling is the cascading effect on younger cricketers.
Young Players Lose More Than MoneyMany upcoming stars, who are still carving a name for themselves, had lucrative partnerships with these fantasy platforms. While senior cricketers could still replace their lost endorsements with deals from other industries—like beverages, lifestyle brands, or tech companies—the younger lot might not have that cushion. Players earning between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore annually from these companies are set to lose a large share of their total endorsement income.
For them, this is not just about money; it’s about visibility and opportunities. Appearing in ads during the IPL or India’s matches gave them star power, placing them alongside legends and helping them build personal brands. The ban, therefore, doesn’t just cut into their wallets but also slows down their journey to superstardom.
Beyond the Players: The Larger Cricket EconomyIt’s not only cricketers who are affected. Production houses, ad agencies, broadcasters, and even stadium staff indirectly benefitted from the money these companies poured into cricket. Every flashy IPL ad, every campaign featuring a cricketer, created a chain of employment and income. With gaming companies now pivoting overseas, all of this auxiliary revenue is at risk.
For fans too, this marks a shift. Those entertaining fantasy cricket ads, often featuring humorous skits with Dhoni or Rohit, may no longer be part of their viewing experience. The absence might seem minor, but for a generation of fans, fantasy gaming was part of how they engaged with the sport.
The Road AheadStars like Kohli, Rohit, and Dhoni will continue to be magnets for top global brands. Tech companies, fintech startups, and consumer goods giants are likely to fill in the void left by fantasy gaming sponsors. But the transition will take time, and in the interim, the cricket economy will feel the pinch.
For younger players, however, the challenge is steeper. Their endorsements are fewer, and opportunities scarcer. The ban reminds us that while cricket may appear recession-proof, its financial backbone is vulnerable to policy changes.
The loss of ₹150–200 crore is not just a statistic—it’s a sign of the sport’s deep reliance on gaming companies. Whether cricket adapts with new sponsors or continues to bleed will decide how this chapter is remembered in cricket’s financial history.