Dream11 & MPL Shut Down After Govt Ban – Will You Get Your Money Back? (Image Source: topindiannews/canva)
The Indian government has declared Real Money Gaming (RMG) more harmful than drugs, saying it is pushing people, especially from lower-middle-class families, into heavy financial losses and even suicides. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Parliament has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, leading to a massive shake-up in the gaming industry. Soon after the bill was cleared, major platforms like Dream11, PokerBaazi and MPL shut down their money-based games, though their apps are still listed on Google Play and the App Store. The companies said users’ deposits are completely safe and will be refunded.
This decision will directly impact India’s top RMG apps, including Dream11, Games24x7, MPL, Gameskraft, WinZO, Zupee, Junglee Games, Head Digital Works, and PokerBaazi. All these platforms were running real money gaming in India. After the Online Gaming Bill, they can no longer run gambling and betting. These companies used to promote themselves as “skill-based” games, but in reality, they fall under the category of real money gaming, which is treated as betting and gambling.
The new law clearly states that there will be no permission for real-money games, their promotion, or transactions. Strict action will be taken against violators. Companies may face fines of up to ₹1 crore and jail terms of up to 3 years, while promoters could face fines of up to ₹50 lakh and imprisonment of up to 2 years.
The government said that e-sports and social games will be promoted, and a National Gaming Commission will be set up for this. PM Modi wrote on X that efforts are being made to make India a global gaming hub. The government will also focus on esports and gaming education. Notably, the Esports World Cup was recently held in Riyadh, where the Indian team participated. Esports has also been included in the 2027 Olympics.
The biggest impact is on RMG apps. Zupee has shut down all its real-money games but continues free-to-play games like Ludo Supreme, Ludo Turbo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Card Mania. PokerBaazi has also stopped operations. Dream11 and My11Circle have suspended fantasy games. Esports and social games will not be affected, as the Online Gaming Bill 2025 does not cover games where money is spent only to improve gameplay. For example, in games like Clash of Clans, users pay to upgrade skins or weapons, not to earn money. On the other hand, platforms like Dream11 allow users to bet money in hopes of winning crores, which is considered gambling. MPL has stopped taking new deposits but allows withdrawals. Gameskraft has paused Add Cash and Gameplay but kept withdrawals open. Games24x7 (My11Circle) has also stopped deposits. Probo, another new platform, has shut down real-money games and is shifting towards a free-to-play model. The government said this step was taken in the public interest, as real-money games were causing financial losses, mental stress, and addiction. There was also a risk of money laundering and illegal funding through digital wallets and crypto. However, some industry bodies like FIFS, AIGF, and EGF have opposed the move. They claim it will harm Indian companies and benefit illegal platforms. Some experts believe this law could go against Article 19(1)(g), which protects the right to do business. The RMG industry argues that a blanket ban could threaten future jobs.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
