Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform, has shut down all its paid contests following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The company announced it will pivot fully to a free-to-play social gaming model, aligning with the new law that bans real-money gaming.
In a public statement, Dream11 said it has “always operated as a law-abiding business” and will “fully comply” with the legislation. “When we started this journey 18 years ago, we were not even 1% of the size of the US fantasy sports industry. With the passion, belief, and the spirit of Made in India, for India, by Indians, we became the largest fantasy sports platform in the world,” the company wrote in a social media post.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11 pioneered fantasy sports in India and grew to become a global leader in the sector. Over the years, the company expanded its portfolio to include FanCode, DreamSetGo, Dream Game Studios, and Dream Sports Foundation, initiatives that it says will continue to drive its long-term vision of strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem.
Also Read | WinZO Diversifies with WinZO TV and Expands to the U.S. Amid RMG Challenges
The decision comes after the new law—recently approved by the President—prohibited companies from offering games involving monetary risk. Under the Act, accepting user deposits for real-money games can lead to three years in prison and fines up to ₹1 crore, with stricter penalties for repeat offences. Financial institutions enabling such transactions will also face consequences.
Dream11 is not alone in this transition. Several other gaming platforms, including MPL, Zupee, Probo, My11Circle, and GamesKraft, have also halted their real-money gaming operations.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the move, calling money gaming addiction “comparable to drug addiction.” He said the government’s stance was shaped by growing concerns over the social harms of gambling and its alleged links to illicit activities.
While Dream11’s fantasy sports contests may no longer involve real money, the company insists its larger mission remains unchanged: to “make sports better for India.”
