The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited bids for Workforce India’s title sponsorship rights following the exit of Dream11, however has imposed strict restrictions—barring firms concerned in actual cash gaming, cryptocurrency, tobacco, alcohol, and different “morally offensive” sectors from making use of.
The transfer is available in response to the not too long ago enacted Promotion and Regulation of On-line Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits actual cash gaming providers in India. Dream11, which held the title rights till 2026, was pressured to exit after shutting down its cash gaming operations to adjust to the regulation. The corporate had paid roughly ₹358 crore ($44 million) for the contract and, alongside My11Circle, contributed ₹1,000 crore in sponsorship income to BCCI lately.
In keeping with BCCI’s Invitation to Specific Curiosity (IEOI) launched Tuesday, bidders should not function or spend money on betting, playing, or real-money gaming companies, both in India or globally. Additionally prohibited are entities within the alcohol, tobacco, and grownup content material industries, and surrogate branding or oblique bidding by way of third-party names or shell firms is strictly banned.
Bidders from present sponsored classes are additionally blocked. These embrace athleisure, banking, non-alcoholic drinks, client electronics, and insurance coverage, with firms like Adidas, Campa Cola, IDFC First Financial institution, and SBI Life already related to BCCI.
To qualify, bidders should meet a minimal turnover or web value of ₹300 crore during the last three monetary years. The final date to buy the IEOI is September 12, and bid submissions shut on September 16.
The BCCI has reserved the correct to amend or cancel the method at any level with out rationalization.
Whereas Dream11 exits early, BCCI sources confirmed no penalty will probably be imposed, acknowledging the corporate’s compliance with authorities regulation somewhat than any contractual breach.
The title sponsorship alternative now opens the door to new sectors, with BCCI eyeing long-term, regulation-compliant partnerships that align with evolving authorized and moral requirements.
