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Dream Sports suspended all paid contests on Dream11 after Online Gaming Law 2025, shifting to free-to-play gaming and reaffirming its commitment to Make Sports Better.
Dream11 (X)
Dream Sports, the parent company of fantasy gaming platform Dream11, has suspended all paid contests and shifted entirely to a free-to-play social gaming model. The announcement was made on August 22, a day after the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, gave her assent to the Online Gaming Bill passed in Parliament.
The new legislation, formally titled The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025, prohibits online money games — defined as any game where users deposit money, directly or indirectly, with the expectation of monetary winnings. The law is expected to significantly alter the business models of several gaming platforms operating in India.
The move follows reports that Dream Sports had already paused all “Pay to Play” contests on Dream Picks, a recently launched fantasy sports application that allowed users to build four-player teams and compete across both innings of a cricket match. Its casual real-money gaming app, Dream Play, has also discontinued paid contests and now only offers a free version of online Ludo.
Founded 18 years ago, Dream Sports has grown from a small sports-tech startup into a company that claims to operate the largest fantasy sports platform in the world. In its statement, the firm reflected on its growth, noting that when it launched Dream11, the Indian fantasy sports industry was less than one per cent the size of the U.S. market.
The company added that it would continue working toward its long-term vision to “Make Sports Better” and align with the government’s ambition of turning India into a global sporting power. Concluding its announcement, Dream Sports signalled that the shift marks a new chapter in its journey: “See you in our second innings.”
What Did Dream11 Say About Online Gaming Bill?
Dream Sports’ statement read –
“This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game.
When we started this journey 18 years ago as a Sports Tech company, we were not even 1% of the size of the USA Fantasy Sports industry. Dream11’s Fantasy Sports product was our way to “Make Sports Better” for all of India. With this passion, belief, and the spirit of Made in India, for India, by Indians, we became the largest fantasy sports platform in the world.
We have always been and will always be a law abiding company, and have conducted our business in compliance with the laws. While we believe that progressive regulations would have been the right way forward, we will respect the law and will fully comply with “The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025″.
We are fortunate to have a portfolio of amazing Sports Tech businesses, including FanCode, DreamSetGo and Dream Game Studios, along with our Dream Sports Foundation. These will continue to power our vision to “Make Sports Better” and support our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ambition of making India a global sporting superpower.”
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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