India’s fantasy sports giant Dream11 has officially stopped all its paid contests after the government passed the Online Gaming Bill 2025. The new law bans all online money-gaming platforms, shaking the entire real-money gaming industry, which is worth billions of dollars. So what’s next for Dream11, and will it ever make a comeback? Let’s break it down.
On August 22, 2025, Dream11 announced through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle that it had ceased all paid contests and transitioned to a free-to-play online social gaming model.
In its official X (formerly Twitter) post, Dream11 signed off with a cricket-themed message: “See you in our second innings.”
The phrase not only resonates with the sport at the heart of Dream11’s success, but also hints at the company’s belief that this is not the end—merely a strategic pause before a potential comeback.
The decision directly followed the approval of the Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which:
The Indian government has justified the legislation by citing concerns over:
The ban directly impacts India’s $3.8 billion online gaming sector, a market that had attracted international venture capital and private equity investments. Industry insiders have suggested that legal challenges may be pursued on grounds of inadequate consultation and disproportionate regulatory intervention.
The decision by Dream11 to stop paid contests has not only impacted millions of fantasy sports fans but also spilled over into Indian cricket’s sponsorship ecosystem.
As mentioned, Indian fantasy sports players have lost the real-money thrill of Dream11. Many saw the platform as a way to test cricket knowledge and win cash prizes, while some treated it as a side income. With the ban, this opportunity is gone, leaving hardcore players disappointed, even though casual fans may still enjoy the free-to-play version.
The bigger shockwave came when Dream11 had to cancel its sponsorship with the BCCI. Dream11 was previously the official jersey sponsor and fantasy partner of Team India, a deal reportedly worth hundreds of crores. But after the Online Gaming Bill 2025 outlawed real-money contests, Dream11’s sponsorship rights were terminated.
This leaves Team India without a major sponsor right before the Asia Cup 2025, creating a rare void in Indian cricket’s commercial landscape. For fans, it’s unusual to see the national team step onto such a prestigious tournament without a marquee brand logo on their jerseys.
While its core paid fantasy sports product has been discontinued, Dream11 is expected to realign its strategic focus toward other entities within the Dream Sports portfolio, namely:
Following the Online Gaming Bill 2025 and the suspension of paid contests on Dream11, Dream Sports is pivoting to diversify its business, including the launch of Dream Money, a fintech app for gold and fixed deposit investments. Key strategic adjustments may include:
Dream11 may continue to develop its free-to-play platform, leveraging its existing user base to offer social competition, in-app engagement, and non-monetary rewards. This helps retain players while complying with the new regulations.
With fantasy sports real-money contests halted, Dream Sports has introduced Dream Money, enabling users to:
This fintech pivot positions Dream Sports in a new growth sector, potentially replacing lost revenue from real-money gaming while appealing to India’s emerging middle-class investors.
Even without cash contests, Dream11 and related platforms can focus on brand sponsorships, digital advertising, and data-driven collaborations with sports leagues and franchises, generating alternative revenue streams.
FanCode could become a central driver of revenue, with increased investments in:
This approach helps diversify income beyond gaming.
Dream Sports might expand fantasy sports offerings internationally in jurisdictions with favorable regulations, leveraging its technology and brand recognition.
Given the government’s emphasis on e-sports, Dream Sports may develop competitive gaming tournaments, gamified experiences, and partnerships with e-sports leagues, creating compliant growth channels that engage younger audiences.
The possibility of Dream11 re-entering the real-money fantasy sports market in India depends on future regulatory developments. Potential scenarios include:
Until such changes materialize, Dream11’s contests will remain free-to-play, with the company repositioning itself around content, community, and non-monetary engagement models.
Dream11 users can no longer withdraw their winnings due to India's ban on real money tournaments, leaving many players looking for secure alternatives. One popular option is Dubai7, an offshore online casino licensed in Malta, which is not regulated by the Indian government. This allows players to deposit, play, and withdraw funds without being affected by the Online Gaming Bill 2025.
For Indian fantasy sports enthusiasts seeking real-money gaming without legal risk, Dubai7 presents a reliable and fully compliant offshore solution, bridging the gap left by Dream11’s suspension of paid contests.
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