Indian cricketers are now struggling with a major financial blow, of an estimated loss of between 150 and 200 crore yearly, after the Indian government declared a ban on real-money online gaming.
This abrupt shift in policy has upset the endorsement scene that most of the best cricketers depended on to earn a substantial part of their income, and the biggest names, such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni, have suffered most.
Why Are Indian Cricketers Losing Rs 150-200 Crore Annually?
The main cause of such an enormous financial difference is the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, enacted by the Indian Parliament in August 2025. This act prohibits any advertisement and advertisement related to real-money online games, and it also denies financial institutions the opportunity to carry out any transactions related to these games.
This bill was packaged by the government as a way of safeguarding its citizens against the addictive and predatory nature of online money gaming platforms to avoid the financial devastation and social anguish that such sites tore apart.
Impact on Cricketers’ Endorsements and Sponsorships
For several years, fantasy game websites such as Dream11, MPL (Mobile Premier League), My11Circle, and Winzo were some of the largest commercial sponsors of Indian cricket. These companies were also big investors in player endorsements and team sponsorships, which became part of the financial ecosystem of Indian cricket, particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL). The best cricketers not only become brand ambassadors but also make multi-crore agreements with these online gaming companies.
Specific Losses to Top Players:
- Virat Kohli reportedly loses around Rs 10 to 12 crore annually from his contract with MPL.
- Rohit Sharma, who was the face of Dream11, stands to lose approximately Rs 6 to 7 crore yearly.
- Winzo also had a similar endorsement deal with MS Dhoni of around Rs 6 to 7 crore.
- Younger and upcoming players such as Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar may lose endorsement incomes of approximately 1 crore and above.
Broader Ecosystem Effects Beyond Players
The effect of the ban goes beyond individual cricketers. The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has already lost its attractive jersey sponsorship contract with Dream11 worth 358 crore. This also works out IPL sponsorship arrangements, such as the associate sponsorship by My11Circle, which was valued to be approximately Rs 125 crore. Several IPL teams, depending on gaming company sponsorships, face losses estimated at Rs 10-20 crore annually.
Furthermore, the advertising business in India will lose nearly Rs 8,000-10,000 crore annually, and online gaming companies are contributing around 7-8 percent of the total advertisement amount, with real-money gaming occupying the biggest portion of such amount.
Reasons Behind the Financial Losses for Cricketers
- End of Real-Money Gaming Sponsorships: Real-money gaming sites were keen on the expenditure on player endorsements since cricket is extremely popular in India and offers them a huge audience. These platforms have stopped promotional practices as a result of the ban, leaving high-profile contracts hanging.
- Sudden Policy Implementation: The legislation became an unexpected action, which necessitated the immediate termination of contracts. Many players, especially younger ones, had the bulk of their endorsement income linked exclusively to these gaming companies. Unlike diversified portfolios that older stars might have, younger cricketers will feel the financial pinch more severely.
- Withdrawal of Jersey Sponsorships: The Indian cricket team’s jersey sponsorships with Dream11 have been canceled, which reduces visibility and associated income streams for players and franchises linked with the brand.
- Wider Market Impact: The ban affects the entire advertising ecosystem linked to fantasy sports and online gaming, cutting off a large revenue source supporting cricket and its stars. This wider market contraction shrinks opportunities for sponsorship renewal and new deals by all players.
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The Financial Blow and Future Outlook
Although the government has a good cause to ban this by shielding the citizens against the possible evils of betting and actual gamut playing, the economic consequences of the move on Indian cricket and its players cannot be ignored. To Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and the likes, it is a big annual blow to their endorsement business, although they have several other endorsements. To young players and middle-level stars, the blow is much more dramatic since it erases a big portion of their income. The IPL and BCCI will make an effort to identify new sponsors to eliminate the financial loss.
Non-gaming companies, such as automobile and other large companies, are likely to look at the sponsorship positions, although some time might be needed to recover the revenue. The brand value of Indian cricket could experience a temporary decline, and all endorsement deals could be reduced by 20-25 percent, and even the new generation of cricketers will be impacted.
