The Pulse of the Nation

In this country that has seen everything from 8th Standard Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashing a sixer on the debut ball to 41-year-old Pravin Tambe becoming the oldest debutant, cricket is more than a sport – it’s a religion, one that unites the nation across age, geography, and socio-economic backgrounds. For decades, Indians have been glued to their television screens, following every match, every over, and every fall of a wicket. So much so that if you ask a kid what the national sport of India is, he’d give you a disowning look when you try to correct his answer by pointing out that it’s hockey. This speaks volumes about the cricket fever in India.

In this cricket-obsessed nation, no event captures the national imagination quite like the Indian Premier League. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has evolved into one of the world’s biggest sporting events and has fused sports with entertainment and commerce, transforming players into celebrities, teams into brands, and matches into high-energy spectacles. As the current season comes to a close on 3rd June, the tournament has once again demonstrated its extraordinary ability to captivate the entire nation for months, even enduring a temporary suspension due to Operation Sindoor. But the IPL’s significance goes beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch; it has a profound economic impact and, more controversially, is interwoven with the rise of fantasy gaming and betting culture.

Stadium, Screens and Streets

Few spectacles in the Indian sports calendar command attention like the IPL does. During the season, daily life in India adapts to match schedules. Streets grow quieter during match hours, families huddle around the screens, and even workplaces adjust their routines unofficially: oh, I fondly remember being told of the AIIMS ER on-call team hooked up on their phones and desperate passengers hurling abuses at DMRC for substandard internet on the Yellow Line during a critical match last year. BARC data agrees—the opening weekend of TATA IPL 2025 shattered previous records, attracting over 25.3 crore viewers and 2,770 crore minutes of watch time in just three matches, setting new benchmarks. Moreover, social media explodes with match-related memes, debates, and other content during the league.

The glamour quotient adds to the hype. Bollywood celebrities like King Khan and Preity Zinta own teams; international stars grace opening ceremonies, and team anthems amplify rivalries between the ten city-based franchises. The IPL’s success has also catalysed the development of women’s cricket through the Women’s Premier League (WPL), expanding the commercial cricket ecosystem and creating additional revenue streams. Thus, the IPL is not just about cricket—it’s a theatrical, communal experience.

A Financial Juggernaut

While the IPL delivers on entertainment, its economic dimensions are even more staggering. It is a mammoth economic engine, generating revenue across industries including media, hospitality, tourism, retail, and technology.

Media, Sponsorships and Team Valuations

According to data released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Viacom18 acquired the IPL’s linear and digital media rights for the years 2023–2028 for an enormous amount of INR 5,963 crores, underscoring not only its commercial attractiveness but also its position as a serious contributor to India’s economy.

Sponsorships play an equally important role. Tata Group’s title sponsorship from 2024 to 2028 for INR 2,500 crore, the highest ever in the history of the IPL, has significantly boosted the league’s brand value, which soared from $2 billion in 2009 to $12 billion in 2024, placing it among the world’s top sports leagues.

Franchise teams have seen their valuations skyrocket. Four teams—Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders—exceeded $100 million in brand value, highlighting the exponential growth trajectory of brand valuations. Private equity investments have surged, with firms attempting to replicate the IPL model in other sports leagues.

Job Creation and Tourism Boost

Beyond corporate boardrooms and financial centres, the IPL also affects local economies. It generates over 30,000 temporary jobs each season, ranging from stadium crew to hospitality workers. The league’s employment impact reaches approximately 1.2 million jobs when considering indirect and induced employment effects, which include positions created in supporting industries such as advertising, marketing, telecommunications, and the manufacturing of cricket-related merchandise.

The season also generates substantial tourism revenue, boosting host cities’ local economies during match periods. Hotel bookings, restaurant sales, and retail purchases see sharp upticks. Food delivery services like Zomato and Swiggy have observed a 50% rise in orders during match days as compared to non-match days. The successful organisation of IPL matches has enhanced India's reputation for hosting large-scale sporting events, potentially attracting future international tournaments and associated economic benefits.

Tax Revenue and GDP Contribution

Tax revenue generation represents another significant economic contribution, with both central and state governments benefiting from IPL-related economic activity. Corporate taxes from profitable franchises, goods and services tax from ticket sales and merchandise, and income tax from player salaries contribute substantial revenue to the government treasury. In 2020 alone, the IPL contributed over $6.7 billion to India’s GDP, demonstrating its macroeconomic significance.

Fantasy Sports and Betting Epidemic

While the IPL has generated tremendous economic benefits, it has simultaneously fostered a parallel ecosystem of fantasy sports and betting platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, etc., which operate on a pay-to-play model where participants pay entry fees for chances to win cash prizes based on real player performances. The companies market these platforms as skill-based games, but research indicates that both skill and chance significantly influence the outcomes, creating similarities to traditional gambling.

According to the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), over 180 million users were engaged in fantasy sports in 2023. Dream11 alone claimed over 100 million users. The sector was valued at INR 54,000 crore in FY24, with projections suggesting double-digit growth annually. This also presents a grim picture, as the proliferation of fantasy sports has contributed to a broader betting crisis that has devastated countless Indian families in Meerut, Ganganagar, Patna, and numerous other cities.

Research from the Journal of Gambling Studies shows that daily fantasy players are more likely to transition into broader gambling behaviour. FOMO, peer influence, and the dopamine rush of “almost winning” are common triggers. Many users, especially youth, take loans or liquidate their assets to continue betting.

Legal Ambiguities and Regulatory Gaps

While traditional gambling is illegal in most Indian states, these platforms continue to operate in a legal grey area by claiming to offer skill-based games rather than chance-based gambling. This regulatory ambiguity allows such platforms to advertise extensively during IPL broadcasts. Some states, like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, though, have tried imposing bans, citing consumer harms.

The scale of the problem requires comprehensive data collection and analysis to develop effective interventions. Moreover, to ensure that the fantasy platforms contribute positively without endangering users, certain regulatory measures should be mandated, such as daily loss limits, reminder nudges, integrated helplines, age verification, transparent odds, etc.

It is important to note that not all fantasy sports are harmful. For millions of people, these platforms are a source of community, strategic thinking, and enhanced sports engagement. When used in moderation, they can deepen appreciation for the game.

Departing Note

The IPL is India’s most celebrated sporting event. It fosters unity, provides employment, fuels GDP growth, and cements India's reputation on the global sports map. It is a festival of athleticism, competition, and collective joy.

Yet, its partnership with fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 creates complex consequences. While these apps amplify fan involvement and generate digital economy growth, they also pose risks of addiction, financial loss, and psychological harm.

The way forward lies in smart governance, ethical marketing, and public awareness. By setting clear boundaries and encouraging responsible behaviour, we can enjoy the IPL for what it is meant to be: a celebration of talent, teamwork, and India's enduring love for cricket.

In a country where cricket is a religion, we ought to ensure the faithful aren’t exploited in the name of devotion.

References

1.  https://www.bcci.tv
2. https://www.cricket.com
3. https://www.bcci.tv
4. https://www.iplt20.com
5. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
6. https://brandfinance.com
7. https://www.pvtcourt.com
8. https://fifs.in/wp-content
9. Nower L, Caler KR, Pickering D, Blaszczynski A. Daily Fantasy Sports Players: Gambling, Addiction, and Mental Health Problems. J Gambl Stud. 2018 Sep;34(3):727-737. doi: 10.1007/s10899-018-9744-4. PMID: 29352358.

.    .    .