The future of fantasy sports giants like Dream11 and My11Circle now hangs in the balance after the government pushed through the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The bill seeks to ban real money games (RMGs) platforms where users deposit large sums in the hope of winning prizes. It also proposes to block online money-based games and their advertisements, striking directly at the heart of India’s booming gaming industry.
Why the Crackdown?
The government says the move is aimed at curbing betting and gambling disguised as online gaming. However, many Indian platforms, including big names, operate in a real-money format, which now falls under the bill’s purview.
For now, the legislation has cleared the Lok Sabha and will move to the Rajya Sabha for debate and voting. If approved there, it only needs the President’s assent to become law.
Impact on Gaming Platforms
If the bill goes through, the new rules will have a direct impact on money-based gaming apps, many of which boast millions of Indian users and are backed by heavy investments.
Industry experts point out that one of the biggest challenges will be defining the thin line between skill-based gaming and gambling, a grey area that has long fueled debate.
But one thing is clear: if the bill becomes law, popular platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and several others may be forced to shut down in India, marking a huge economic setback for the sector.
