BCCI’s checklist of dos and don’ts after on-line gaming, cryptocurrency platforms banned from making use of for India sponsorship

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stored its foot down, making certain they aren’t blindsided in relation to bids for the lead sponsorship rights. The Indian cricket board invited bids for lead sponsorship rights on Tuesday following the exit of Dream11. The on-line gaming platform pulled out of its contract after the Indian authorities launched the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.

The final date for buying the Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights (IEOI) is September 12, and the final date for submitting bids from events is September 16.

“The IEOI will be made available on receipt of payment of a non-refundable fee of INR 5,00,000 plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax,” the BCCI launch said.

The BCCI has banned crypto and on-line gaming platforms, in addition to alcohol and tobacco corporations, from making use of for the rights. This transfer comes after the introduction of the Online Gaming Act. The Indian board additionally made it clear that solely these corporations can apply who’ve an annual turnover of INR 300 crore.

With September 16 stored because the deadline, Suryakumar Yadav’s India will probably take part within the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and not using a jersey sponsor, because the match begins September 9. The lead sponsor will get to have their title in entrance of the jerseys of each the lads’s and girls’s cricket groups.

Also Read: BCCI asks solely ‘reputed entities’ to bid for lead sponsor rights after Dream11 exit

“BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the IEOI process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason,” the board stated in an official launch.

The richest board on this planet needed to discover a new sponsor after Dream11 pulled out of the three-year contract in August 2025. The on-line gaming platform had signed the deal in 2023.

Here is the complete checklist of dos and don’ts for making use of for lead sponsorship rights

Eligibility standards:

• The common turnover of every bidder for the final three years should be not less than INR 300 crore as per the final three audited accounts, or the typical internet price of every bidder for the final three years should be not less than INR 300 crore as per the final three audited accounts.
• Each bidder should be a match and correct particular person. In order to find out whether or not that is the case, the BCCI could take into consideration any issue, as could also be deemed match, together with with out limitation any a number of of the next standards: (i) not having been convicted by a courtroom of a prison offence or offences involving ethical turpitude, financial offence or fraud; (ii) not having any battle of curiosity as per the Conflict of Interest Rules; (iii) absence of conviction for any offence punishable with imprisonment for 2 years or extra in any jurisdiction; (iv) absence of categorisation as a wilful defaulter by the Reserve Bank of India; and/or (v) an individual having integrity and popularity.
• “The BCCI reserves the right to reject any bid from any bidder which, in the BCCI’s opinion and at its sole and absolute discretion, does not satisfy this criteria,” the board said in an official launch.
• The bidder shouldn’t be engaged in on-line cash gaming, betting, playing, or comparable providers in India or wherever on this planet, and she or he shouldn’t present such providers to any particular person in India.
• The bidder shouldn’t have any funding or possession curiosity in any particular person engaged in betting or playing providers in India.
• “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 BCCI said.
• The bidder, together with any of its group corporations, shouldn’t be instantly or not directly engaged in crypto buying and selling, crypto change, crypto token, or any comparable enterprise.
• Bidders are prohibited from submitting bids by means of surrogate manufacturers. This consists of, however shouldn’t be restricted to, the usage of completely different names, manufacturers, identities, or logos.

Blocked model classes

Athleisure and Sportswear Manufacturer;

Banks, Banking & Financial Services and Non-Banking Financial Companies;

Non-Alcoholic Cold Beverages;

Fans, Mixer Grinders and Safety Locks; and

Insurance

The above-mentioned model classes are blocked on account of the BCCI already having present sponsors throughout the stated model classes.

Prohibited Brand Categories:

Alcohol Products;

Betting or Gambling Services;

Cryptocurrency;

Online Money Gaming or any such actions are prohibited underneath the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025;

Tobacco; and

one which is prone to offend public morals, together with however not restricted to pornography.