Dream11, Gameskraft, Zupee, MPL Suspend Real-Money Gaming Services Amid Industry Shake-Up

Shortly after the Indian government’s online gaming bill was approved by both Houses of Parliament, India’s leading real money gaming (RMG) companies, including Dream11 parent company Dream Sports, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Zupee, and Nazara-backed PokerBaazi, started to stop holding money-related competitions and games on their platforms.

The measure forbids online money games, which are those in which players deposit money either directly or indirectly in the hopes of winning.

All ‘Pay to Play’ competitions on Dream Picks, a newly released fantasy sports app that allows users to create four-player teams and compete in both innings, have been suspended by Dream Sports. Additionally, Dream Play, the company’s casual RMG app, is being discontinued.

Dream11 Suspends Real Money Fantasy Competitions

A notification on the app states that Dream11is suspending all “pay to play” fantasy sports competitions on its platform due to the current developments surrounding “The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025”. The Dream11 app allows users to safely access and withdraw their account balance.

According various media reports, Dream Sports also intends to halt sponsored competitions on its main Dream11 app after the law is notified after the President’s approval. In FY23, the business reported a net profit of INR 188 crore on INR 6,384 crore in operational sales. Dream Sports chose not to respond.

MPL Shuts Down Money-Based Games

The Mobile Premier League (MPL), an RMG platform, announced that it has closed all of its money-related gaming options.

“While new deposits will no longer be accepted, customers will be able to withdraw their balances seamlessly,” stated a spokeswoman. “Regardless of the revenue model, our goal has always been to become the biggest competitive gaming platform globally, and we are still dedicated to giving our Indian users competitive, free-to-play, non-money-based gaming experiences. As we finish the process of shutting down online money games, we will update our community on the following steps,” the representative stated.

On its iOS and Android apps, MPL provides more than 60 games in categories such as board games, puzzles, daily fantasy sports, quizzes, and casual games.

Gameskraft Halts RummyCulture Cash Services

In a stock market announcement on August 22, Nazara Technologies said that Moonshine Technology, the parent company of the online poker platform PokerBaazi, has “ceased offering real money online gaming operations.”

“Moonshine, an affiliate firm in which Nazara owns a 46.07% share, has stopped providing real money online gambling operations out of extreme caution and in accordance with the government’s mandate. After the bill is passed, the corporation will assess its next steps,” the multifaceted gaming and sports media organisation stated.

Additionally, Gameskraft, a Bengaluru-based company, is suspending “Add Cash” and “Gameplay services” on its rummy applications, such as RummyCulture. “In compliance with platform policies, the withdrawal services are still accessible. We wish to reassure users that their money is still secure with us. In order to guarantee complete compliance with the changing legislative framework, this is a preventative action,” a business representative stated in a statement.