MPL Slashes 60% of Workforce as India’s Real-Money Gaming Ban Sparks Industry Turmoil

The recent government ban on real-money online gaming in India has triggered a sweeping upheaval in the digital gaming sector. Mobile Premier League (MPL) has responded with a dramatic reduction in its India operations, laying off approximately sixty percent of its workforce—around 300 of its 500 employees, spanning marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal teams. MPL, which generated close to $100 million in annual revenue and earned roughly half of it from India, now faces a near-complete collapse of its business in the country. The company has opted not to challenge the legislation, instead pivoting toward free-to-play models and strengthening its presence in international markets such as Europe, the U.S., and Brazil.

This downsizing mirrors broader distress in the industry. Over two thousand professionals are actively searching for new roles, reflecting the policy-induced shockwaves engulfing jobs across the sector. Supportive sectors—such as payment gateways and fintech startups that handled gaming transactions—are suffering a massive setback. The discontinuation of real-money games has slashed payment volumes and advertising revenue, with losses estimated in the tens of thousands of crores. Esports and social gaming are now seen as potential growth areas, but both require considerable expansion to fill the void left by RMG’s exit.

In response, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw convened a landmark meeting with gaming industry leaders to explore transition strategies. The government emphasized user protection, ensuring the safety of gaming wallets, and promoting e-sports and social games as viable alternatives in the regulated environment.

MPL’s downsizing and the broader fallout underscore the high economic and social stakes of the new gaming regime. Entire revenue models have crumbled, employment is imperiled on a grand scale, and adjacent industries are scrambling to adapt. As stakeholders recalibrate, the industry’s future hinges on its ability to reinvent around non-monetary formats, rebuild consumer trust, and navigate an uncertain regulatory terrain.