Dream11 Ends Paid Contests, Transforms into Free-to-Play Social Gaming Platform After New Online Gaming Law

In a dramatic overhaul for India's fantasy sports and online gaming sector, Dream11, India's largest fantasy sports platform, announced on Wednesday that it has withdrawn all paid games from its platform. The move comes after the recently enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was signed by President Droupadi Murmu earlier in the day. The new legislation prohibits money-based online gaming of all kinds while, in the process, acknowledging and endorsing e-sports and free-to-play online social games.

Dream11 Makes a Historic Pivot

In a statement released late on Friday, Dream11 revealed:

“This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game.”

This is a historic shift for the fantasy sports behemoth, which was constructed on paid fantasy sports games where users could win real money. With this shift, Dream11 will now concentrate purely on offering a social, entertainment-led experience, eliminating monetary stakes but still connecting sports fans across India.

What the New Law Means for Online Gaming

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 brings in some of the most stringent regulations to date in India's online world. Businesses that are discovered to be in breach of the law risk imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.

Statement by Dream11 on X (Screengrab)

According to MeitY Secretary S Krishnan, although regulations under the bill are yet to be prepared, some provisions could be enforced immediately. This marks a new chapter of regulation in India's online gaming sector, with the government seeking to balance user protection, monetary control, and safe gaming practices.

Dream11's 18-Year Journey

Founded 18 years ago, Dream11 began as a Sports Tech startup with the mission to make sports more interesting for India's sports fans. When it was founded, India's fantasy sports industry was less than 1% the size of the United States market.

In almost two decades, Dream11 developed into the global fantasy sports platform with the largest user base, uniting millions of cricket, football, and kabaddi enthusiasts. While releasing its statement, the company highlighted that it has always been compliant with Indian laws and believes progressive legislation might have offered a better framework. Still, it also made it crystal clear that it will comply fully with the new Online Gaming Law.

Beyond Fantasy Sports

While Dream11’s paid contests may be gone, the parent company continues to operate several other ventures under the Dream Sports umbrella. These include:

• FanCode – A sports content and commerce platform.

• DreamSetGo – A sports travel and experiences company.

• Dream Game Studios – Focused on sports gaming innovation.

Through these platforms, the company reiterated its commitment to its mission of “Making Sports Better” while also aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of turning India into a global sporting superpower.

A Message to the Users

In its farewell note to fantasy sports users, Dream11 expressed gratitude for their years of support and promised an exciting “second innings” in its new avatar as a free-to-play platform. While the thrill of winning cash prizes may be gone, Dream11 appears determined to reimagine sports engagement in a more social, community-driven format.

My11Circle Also Halts Paid Games

Dream11 isn’t the only platform impacted by the new law. My11Circle, operated by Games24x7, also announced that it has suspended all real money gaming operations in compliance with the Online Gaming Bill. In a social media post, the company stated:

“In line with the new regulations, Games24x7 is suspending real money games on My11Circle. Our commitment to the law remains strong, and we’ll continue to prioritise our players with smooth withdrawals and future updates.”

This indicates that the bill will reshape the entire fantasy sports and online gaming sector in India, forcing companies to adopt new models for user engagement.

The Online Gaming Bill has presented challenges and opportunities alike. On the one hand, it removes the money incentives which drew millions of users to fantasy sites, but on the other hand, it also makes way for innovative free-to-play models emphasizing community, competition, and entertainment over money.

With Dream11 leading the way, the Indian online gaming scene is at the cusp of a revolutionary era, wherein companies have to innovate to survive. As Dream11 said, the game is far from over this is only the beginning of a new innings.