Dream11 and My11 Circle Ban Explained: Online Gaming Bill 2025 Impact on Fantasy Sports and Indian cricket

The Indian government has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, marking one of the most significant moves in the country’s digital economy. Cleared by the Union Cabinet and both the Houses of Parliament within 72 hours, the bill seeks to ban all real money-based online gaming platforms. This includes fantasy sports, rummy, poker, and other pay-to-play apps where users stake money to win cash prizes. The Rajya Sabha gave its approval on August 21, 2025, after which the bill moved to President Draupadi Murmu’s desk for assent. Once signed, the bill will become law and immediately halt the operations of platforms that depend on pay-to-play money gaming.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwin Vaishnaw said in Parliament that the step was necessary to protect society from practices that ruin families, comparing money-based gaming to chit funds. According to him, online money games have caused significant financial losses, addiction, and family disputes, demanding urgent government action. The quick passage of the bill has surprised both the industry and fans. Companies such as Dream11, MPL, and PokerBaazi, which depend heavily on pay-to-play models, are expected to see their biggest source of revenue shut down overnight. For users, the sudden change has left questions about the future of fantasy cricket and other sports-based platforms that had become part of their daily routines.
So, with the sudden passing of the bill, let us explain what the Dream11, My11 Circle, and pay-to-play money-making games ban means and how much this move will cost the fantasy gaming industry. It could also affect the richest franchises in the world.

What is the My11Circle, Dream11 Ban?

The so-called Dream11, My11Circle Ban refers to the government’s blanket ban on fantasy platforms where users participate with real money. The name has gained traction on social media as a harsh way to describe the blow to Dream11 and similar companies that have built their identities around fantasy sports. Dream11, operated by DreamSports, had become the market leader in fantasy cricket, with millions of daily users. Alongside MPL, My11Circle, and others, it offered contests where users built virtual teams and earned cash based on real match performances. With the new bill, all such real money contests will be considered illegal.
The fantasy gaming industry in India is valued at over 35000 crore, with Dream11 alone contributing more than half of the revenues. According to experts, the ban could cause direct losses running into thousands of crores each year, which would further force these giants to downsize their operations, leading to job cuts across technology marketing and customer support departments.
Moreover, the loss is not just limited to companies; State governments, which collect taxes from online platforms, will lose a considerable source of revenue. Users who actively participated in these games will also lose access to a platform that helped them earn a side income than their main hustles. It will now likely affect the best teams in IPL.

What does this Blanket Ban mean for the Indian team with the ban on Dream11?

The impact of the ban is not just restricted to the gaming platforms. It also has direct consequences for Indian cricket. Dream11 is the official jersey sponsor of Team India under a 358 crore deal that runs until March 2026. This agreement covers major tournaments, including the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, where India is scheduled to face Pakistan and other Asian nations. With the new law in place, Dream11’s ability to continue as a sponsor comes into question; if the government enforces the ban strictly, BCCI may have to terminate the deal and search for a new sponsor before the Asia Cup begins. Such a move would affect not only the revenue streams but also the visibility of brands in cricket marketing.
In recent years, fantasy gaming firms have played a large role in cricket sponsorship, advertising during Indian Premier League seasons, and promoting matches across platforms. For fans, the Dream11 logo had become a familiar presence on the Indian jersey. With the ban, that presence is likely to disappear, marking a shift in how cricket and commercial partnership operate in India.