Online Gaming Bill 2025: ‘In Dream11, the person who has been working as a team of Rs 39 won 4 crores.’ Now you probably never got to read such a headline, because an era came to an end for India’s largest fantasy sports platform Dream11.
Dream Sports, the parent company of the Dream11 app, has closed its real-mani gaming section. The reason for this is the passing of the new online gaming bill from Parliament, which completely banned all real-mani games.
What will happen to the money of users of Dream11?
According to a notice on the Dream11 app, in view of the recent developments related to ‘Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill, 2025 “, we are stopping all’ pay to play ‘fantasy sports competitions on our platforms. Your account balance is safe and you can withdraw money from Dream 11 App.’
CEO of Dream Sports gave this message
According to sources, CEO of Dream Sports Harsh Jain told the employees in the internal message that there is no legal way to continue the operation after the law was implemented. Employees, whether they are on-rol or contrast, have been informed about the transition plan. The company will now focus on its other verticals- fancode, Dreamsetgo and Dream Game Studios.
Existing crisis for Dream Sports
The passing of the new online gaming bill is a sign of almost existence for Dream Sports. Because more than 90% of the company’s revenue has historically come from the paid fantasy contests of Dream11. In FY24 itself, the platform recorded a revenue of more than ₹ 9,600 crore. This included record engagement during the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The contribution of verticals like live sports streaming platform fancode and Dreamsetgo to the Revenue of Dream Sports is still quite modest. It tells how big a shock the company will get with the closure of Dream11.
More than 28 crore registered users
The foundation of Dream Sports was placed in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth. Its Dream11 app dominated India’s fantasy sports market. It had more than 28 million registered users. Dream11 achieved fast success and formed deep cricket partnerships from IPL title sponsorship to Team India’s tie-up. But now the group face its most challenging situation ever.
Dream Sports have invested large names like Chryscap, Multiples, TCV, Tiger Global. Its last valuation was $ 8 billion (2021).
These companies also closed real money service
Gameskraft – Rummyculture: Online Rummi App Rummyculture of Gamescraft has also said that the facility of adding cash and gameplay services is not available temporarily. The company had reported a total profit of ₹ 947 crore in FY24, while its operating revenue was ₹ 3,475 crore.
Zupee: The real-mani gaming platform Zupee announced on August 21 that it was temporarily suspending the ‘paid games’ on its platform, but the platform will be completely operational. The company’s free games like Ludo Supreme, Ludo Turbo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Card Mania will be available for all users for free.
Approve: Opinion trading platform Proobo also announced to close its RMG operations immediately. The company said that this step has been taken in view of India’s new online gaming bill and this operation will be postponed till further.
Three big questions for online gaming industry
- Transition period: How long will the companies have before the ban is implemented.
- User Funds: Mechanism to return the deposit amount kept in escrow accounts in Mududa.
- Ovsite Authority: Will a regulator guide the shutdown and allows to convert into e-sports or social gaming models.
What is the online gaming bill in 2025?
The objective of the online gaming bill 2025 is to ban the online games to be played with money. Also, internet gaming -related risks such as addiction, money laundering and business crimes are to stop. According to the bill, advertisements of online money games companies will be banned and business institutions are forbidden to fund or transaction for gaming.
This bill divides games in two categories- e-Sports and Real Money Games. E-sports such as GTA, Call of Duty, BGMI and Freefire will continue. At the same time, real money games like betting, Rummi, fantasy cricket and Ludo purse will be completely banned and special license will be required for them.
Strict punishment for violation of law
The provision of strict punishment on violation of new law is also included in the bill. Running a real-money game can lead to a jail of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. Advertising will imprison two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 lakh. Apart from this, there will be a three -year jail and/or a fine of Rs 1 crore for giving loan or funding on money games. The bill has no difference between skill games and game of chances.
Online gaming markets in India are growing rapidly and 60 million gamers are spending around 20,000 crores annually, so this law is designed to control the rising risks in society.