India's National cricket team seeks title sponsor amid looming gambling ban

• After the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, in India gained legislative approval late in August, the law is awaiting the signature of the country's president
• The online gambling ban resulted in a search for a new title sponsor for the National cricket team, with the process being initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India
• The requirements for potential bidders restrict tobacco, alcohol, betting, gaming and crypto companies from participating in the process

Major legislative changes affecting online gambling in India are already making waves.

From layoffs by real money gaming companies to seeking a new title sponsor for India's National cricket team, the approval of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, late last month, brought unprecedented changes.

Online gambling ban results in a search for a new primary sponsor for the National cricket team

The country's two parliamentary houses approved the aforementioned act, which has put the country on track to completely ban online gambling.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, is now waiting for the signature of the president.

However, the transition to banning online gambling has already initiated irreversible processes.

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the principal national governing body of the sport in the country, initiated a bidding process for Lead Sponsor Rights for the Indian National cricket team.

Importantly, the bidding process involves an Invitation for Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights (IEOI), which is open between September 2, 2025, and September 12, 2025.

On the other hand, the deadline for submission of bid documents is set for September 16, 2025.

To show interest via IEOI, bidders need to pay a non-refundable fee of INR 5,00,000 or approximately $5,700.

Gambling, alcohol, tobacco and crypto companies are barred from bidding for title sponsor

A key aspect of the bidding process are restrictions, directly related to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

As explained in a statement released by the BCCI: "Bidder, including any of its Group companies: (i) should not be engaged in online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services in India or anywhere in the world; (ii) should not provide any online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services to any Person in India; and (iii) should not have any investment or ownership interest in any Person engaged in betting or gambling services in India."

The BCCI further explains: "To clarify, a bidder, including any of its Group companies, engaged in any activities/business that is prohibited under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, is not permitted to submit a bid."

The principal body reiterates a list of Brand Categories, which includes types of products and companies prohibited from participating in the IEOI.

Besides betting or gambling services, the rules prohibit any crypto company or alcohol products from participating in the bidding.

Also banned are tobacco companies and others which may be "likely to offend public morals such as, including but not limited to, pornography."

As announced by local media outlets, the ban on online gambling has already resulted in job cuts with hundreds of people being laid off over the last months.

While some real money gaming operators consider entering new jurisdictions, others have focused on diversifying their offering and engaging in new business ventures.

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