The Indian government has taken a bold step by outlawing all real-money online games, including fantasy sports, to tackle rising concerns around addiction, financial harm and money laundering. The new law is called the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.
The Parliament passed the Bill in August 2025, and President Murmu gave her assent on August 22, 2025, making it an official law. It includes strict penalties, including up to three years in jail or fines of up to one crore for anyone who runs or promotes real-money gaming.
Fantasy platforms such as Dream11, MPL, PokerBaazi, My11Circle, WinZO, and others have suspended their paid contests, confirming that users can still withdraw existing wallet balances, although no new deposits are permitted.
Dream11 also informed the BCCI that it will exit its national cricket team jersey sponsorship deal, given the new law’s ban on real-money gaming and related advertising.