Online Gaming Ban: Companies Begin Suspending Games Involving Money

India’s leading real money gaming (RMG) companies — including Dream11 parent Dream Sports, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL), and Zupee — have begun suspending contests and games involving money, shortly after the Indian government’s Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed by both Houses of Parliament.

The new legislation prohibits online money games, defined as those where users make deposits with the expectation of winnings. The bill imposes strict penalties for violations, including fines of up to ₹1 crore and jail terms of up to three years.

Dream Sports has paused all "Pay to Play" contests on Dream Picks, its recently launched fantasy sports app, and suspended its casual RMG app, Dream Play. In a notice to users, the company assured that account balances remain safe and withdrawable. According to industry sources, Dream Sports is also preparing to suspend paid contests on its flagship Dream11 app once the law is notified following the President’s assent. Dream Sports had reported a net profit of ₹188 crore on revenues of ₹6,384 crore in FY23.

Mobile Premier League (MPL) followed suit, suspending all money-based gaming services on its platform. A company spokesperson said while deposits have been disabled, withdrawals remain seamless. MPL, which offers over 60 games across categories including fantasy sports, quizzing, puzzles, and casual games, said it will continue focusing on free-to-play competitive gaming. MPL was last valued at about $2.3 billion and has aggressively expanded into the U.S. market in recent years.

Gameskraft, the Bengaluru-based company best known for its rummy apps such as RummyCulture, also paused its ‘Add Cash’ and ‘Gameplay services’. It reassured users that their funds remain safe and withdrawals continue to be available. The company, which reported a profit of ₹947 crore on revenues of ₹3,475 crore in FY24, described the move as precautionary to ensure compliance with the evolving legal framework.

Zupee, which focuses on skill-based board games, suspended all paid games on its platform but said its popular free titles such as Ludo Supreme and Snakes & Ladders will remain available. The platform, which claims over 150 million users, emphasized its commitment to responsible gaming.

Probo, an opinion trading platform, also announced an immediate halt to its RMG operations, citing compliance with the government’s decision.

The suspension marks a pivotal moment for India’s $2.4 billion RMG industry, which made up the majority of the $3.8 billion gaming market in FY24. Industry experts warn of significant revenue losses and job cuts in the short term, though some analysts believe companies may pivot towards free-to-play models, international markets, or other monetization avenues such as advertising.

Critics of the legislation argue that it fails to distinguish between games of skill and chance — a key legal debate in India for over a decade. Supporters, however, highlight the law as a necessary step to curb gambling addiction, financial losses among young users, and concerns over money laundering.

The industry, once among the fastest-growing segments of India’s digital economy, now faces an uncertain future as firms recalibrate strategies and explore global expansion to mitigate domestic regulatory risks.