Fantasy cricket apps like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL became household names in India, allowing millions of users to create virtual teams and win cash prizes. But with the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, fantasy cricket has effectively been banned in India.
The new law does not just impact cricket—it applies to all money-based games, whether skill-based or chance-based. Here’s a simple breakdown of why fantasy cricket is banned and which types of games are prohibited.
Why Fantasy Cricket is Banned
The government has given multiple reasons for banning fantasy cricket and other money games:
- Addiction & Financial Loss
- Many users were spending beyond their means, leading to debt and family distress.
- Reports even linked some cases of depression and suicides to heavy financial losses.
- Fraud & Money Laundering
- Online money games were misused for illegal activities like tax evasion and even terror financing.
- Legal Loopholes
- Earlier, fantasy sports survived court scrutiny by being called “games of skill.”
- The new law removes that distinction—any money game is now banned, whether skill-based or chance-based.
- Public Health & Safety
- The government argued that protecting young people and middle-class families was more important than revenue from these platforms.
Also see: Why Dream11 is Banned in India and Not Working?
Types of Games Banned in India
The Bill has completely banned online money games. Here’s how it classifies them:
| Type of Game | Explanation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Cricket & Fantasy Sports | Users create teams with real players and win/lose based on match outcomes | ❌ Banned |
| Online Rummy & Poker | Card games where players deposit money to participate | ❌ Banned |
| Casino-style Apps | Roulette, slots, teen patti, etc. played with money | ❌ Banned |
| Betting & Wagering Apps | Platforms allowing bets on match results or outcomes | ❌ Banned |
| Skill-based Money Games | Even if a game needs skill (like cricket stats analysis), if money is involved, it’s banned | ❌ Banned |
What is Still Allowed
While fantasy cricket and money-based games are gone, not all gaming is banned.
Allowed Games:
- Esports → Professional competitive video games (like PUBG tournaments, FIFA, Valorant).
- Online Social Games → Free-to-play casual games without money stakes (Ludo, Candy Crush, chess apps).
- Educational Games → Games designed for learning or skill-building.
Penalties for Running or Promoting Banned Games
- Running a money gaming app → Up to 3 years jail + ₹1 crore fine.
- Advertising money games → Up to 2 years jail + ₹50 lakh fine.
- Repeat offences → Harsher punishments up to 5 years jail + ₹2 crore fine.
Impact on Fantasy Cricket
- Dream11, My11Circle, MPL and others have already paused paid contests.
- Sponsorships worth hundreds of crores (like Team India’s Dream11 jersey deal) are under review.
- Millions of users who once played fantasy cricket for cash prizes can now only withdraw balances, not play.
Fantasy cricket was one of India’s fastest-growing digital games, but concerns over addiction, fraud, and national security have brought it to a halt.
The Online Gaming Bill 2025 makes it clear: if a game involves money, it is banned. Only esports and free social games remain legal.
Fantasy cricket’s “man of the match” moment turned into a match draw with the government — and this time, the government won.
