India’s Online Gaming Bill has sent shockwaves through the real-money gaming (RMG) industry, compelling some of the country’s biggest platforms to suspend operations.
The most significant blow came from Dream11, the country’s largest fantasy sports startup, which announced it would discontinue its core real-money gaming business. Given that RMG had been Dream11’s primary revenue engine, this move signals the gravity of the regulatory shift.
Other leading platforms have followed suit. My11Circle (Games24x7), MPL, Zupee, Gameskraft’s RummyCulture, and Probo have all shuttered their money-based gaming offerings. MPL confirmed that while it will cease RMG in India, its overseas markets—contributing nearly half its revenues remain unaffected. Similarly, Zupee and Probo stated they would pivot toward free-to-play experiences while halting real-money formats.
Gameskraft announced the closure of its rummy platform RummyCulture, while Probo has shut down both its opinion trading app and Team11, its fantasy cricket product.
The newly passed Bill effectively bans money-linked online games in India, imposing heavy penalties and even imprisonment for violations. Regulators say the law addresses rising concerns around gambling addiction, financial risks, and lack of oversight in a rapidly growing industry.
India’s RMG ecosystem had witnessed explosive growth over the past five years, attracting billions in venture capital. But with the new regulatory landscape, the sector faces an uncertain future. Analysts believe startups will now need to either pivot to skill-based, free-to-play models or expand into global markets.
The Online Gaming Bill marks a turning point in India’s gaming sector. For startups, innovation beyond real-money formats will decide who survives this disruption.
Stay tuned to StartupStoryIndia for more updates on India’s gaming and startup ecosystem.
