Online Gaming Bill 2025: Find Out The States Where Dream11 Faces Bans

The Indian government recently passed the Online Gaming Bill 2025, a law that banned the real-money gaming platforms across the country. The bill aims to curb gambling, prevent money addiction, and protect players, especially minors, from the money-making or easy earning promises with the ban of these pay-to-play apps. It prohibits real-money contests on fantasy gaming apps, restricts financial transactions, and also bans advertising for such platforms. Operators violating the law can face up to three years in prison and fines of ₹1 crore rupees while promoters and advertisers may face up to two years of jail and ₹50 lakh in fine.

Following the new legislation, fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 and My11Circle have suspended their real-money operations in several Indian states. Banks and payment providers are also required to block transactions related to these apps. This sudden move has surprised the fans and users, affecting millions who participated in paid fantasy contests. With billions of rupees in revenue at stake, the Indian fantasy gaming industry faces one of its most significant challenges in recent years. So let's see where Dream11 states banned in India and why the government has put a ban on Dream11 with the new Online Gaming Bill 2025. It could now significantly affect some of the best franchises in the world.

Dream11 Banned States in India and their Impact

As per the Online Gaming Bill 2025 and earlier state-level decisions, the list of Dream11 banned states includes several names. Currently, the states where the platform is officially non-operational include Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka had previously imposed restrictions on online betting, leading Dream11 to suspend its operations temporarily after a complaint against its founders. Tamil Nadu also went through a period of the same, but then the courts allowed the platform to operate for a short period before the nationwide ban came into effect.
The ban directly affects fantasy sports platforms that allow users to participate in contests with monetary stakes. Dream11, founded in 2008, grew to dominate India’s fantasy sports market with over 28 crore registered users. The platform generated revenue exceeding ₹9600 crore in FY24 alone, with the bulk of its earnings coming from the paid fantasy contests. Similarly, My11Circle has been a significant player in the fantasy cricket segment. The sudden ban on real-money gaming will likely disrupt the operations of jobs and halt billions of rupees in investment.
The new law does not differentiate between games of skill and games of chance. This means platforms previously operating under legal protection as skill-based games are now forced to suspend real-money contests. Other major fantasy platforms such as My11Circle, Khelo Fantasy, WinZo, and Games24X7 have either paused or completely shut down paid operations. Users can withdraw their balances, but the ban represents a significant loss of revenue for the industry, estimated to be over ₹25,000 crore in foreign investment and annual business. It will likely have an effect on brand deals, sponsorships of the best teams in the Indian Premier League.

Why Government Enforce the Online Gaming Bill, and What Does it Mean?

The government justifies the ban as a measure to prevent gambling, fraud, and money laundering, especially among minors. The law includes strict rules for age verification, self-exclusion features, and restrictions on advertising to protect players. 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. While the ban may disrupt the industry in the short term, it also pushes companies toward alternative revenue streams such as e-sports, social gaming, and non-monetary contests. With real money contests banned, Dream11 will need to shift its focus to free-to-play contests and esports-based initiatives.