Fantasy sports have grown into a multi-billion-rupee industry in India over the past decade, with Dream11 leading the charge as the country’s most popular platform. Millions of sports fans log in daily to create teams, test their sporting knowledge, and compete for cash prizes.
But 2025 has brought a massive legal shake-up. The Indian government has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all real-money online games across the nation — including fantasy sports like Dream11.
This law, combined with long-standing state-level bans, has created widespread uncertainty for players and the fantasy sports industry as a whole. In this article, we’ll explore:
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States where Dream11 is banned or restricted
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How the new bill changes the legal landscape
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The reasons behind these bans
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What this means for fantasy sports players in 2025 and beyond
States Where Dream11 Is Banned in India (2025)
Before the central ban, several states had already prohibited or restricted real-money gaming. Below is a state-wise list of Dream11 bans and restrictions:
| State | Ban Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | ❌ Banned | Broad ban on online gaming and betting since 2020 |
| Assam | ❌ Banned | Gambling laws don’t distinguish between skill and chance |
| Odisha | ❌ Banned | Blanket ban on all gambling activities |
| Telangana | ❌ Banned | 2017 amendment outlawed money-based online gaming |
| Sikkim | ⚠ Restricted | Licensed operators allowed, Dream11 excluded |
| Nagaland | ⚠ Restricted | Only games licensed under state law permitted |
In these states, users cannot participate in cash contests, withdraw winnings, or legally access paid features. Dream11 uses geo-restriction technology to block transactions from these regions.
State-Wise Ban Explanations
1. Andhra Pradesh
In 2020, the state amended its gaming act, banning all forms of online gambling and betting, including fantasy sports. The law treats Dream11 contests as gambling regardless of their skill element.
2. Assam
Assam’s gambling framework is among the strictest. Since its laws don’t separate games of skill from games of chance, fantasy platforms fall under prohibited activities.
3. Odisha
Odisha enforces one of the most comprehensive gambling bans in India. No differentiation exists between offline and online play, making Dream11 cash contests illegal.
4. Telangana
Telangana outlawed all money-based online gaming in 2017 by amending the Telangana Gaming Act. The state views fantasy sports as risky and addictive, so Dream11 remains fully banned.
5. Sikkim
Initially, Sikkim allowed online gaming with strict licensing requirements. However, most mainstream platforms like Dream11 don’t operate under its local licenses, leaving users with restricted access.
6. Nagaland
Nagaland introduced laws to regulate skill-based games, but only platforms with state licenses can operate. Since Dream11 lacks one, real-money contests are not accessible.
Why Is Dream11 Banned in Certain States?
The bans are rooted in multiple concerns — some legal, some social. Let’s break them down:
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Interpretation of Gambling Laws
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States interpret fantasy sports differently: some call it gambling, others call it a game of skill.
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Where it’s seen as gambling, bans are imposed.
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Addiction Concerns
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Governments worry about young people becoming addicted to real-money games.
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Reports of financial distress due to gaming losses fuel stricter policies.
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Economic Leakage
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Critics argue that money spent on Dream11 flows outside the state economy instead of benefiting locals.
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Lack of Regulatory Framework
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In the absence of a national policy until now, states took independent stances — many choosing to ban rather than regulate.
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Cultural & Social Attitudes
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In conservative regions, gambling-like activities face heavy resistance from both policymakers and society.
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Can You Play Dream11 in Restricted States?
In restricted states like Sikkim and Nagaland, players can often join free-to-play contests but are barred from real-money contests and withdrawals.
⚠ Important: Using VPNs or fake addresses to bypass these bans is risky. It violates Dream11’s Terms of Service and could result in:
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Account suspension
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Confiscation of winnings
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Possible legal action under state or central law
Legal Framework Around Dream11 in India
India’s gambling laws are complex and fragmented.
1. Public Gambling Act, 1867
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A central law banning gambling houses.
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Outdated and doesn’t mention online gaming.
2. State List Authority
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Gambling and betting fall under the State List of the Constitution.
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This means states have the power to regulate or ban gaming independently.
3. Skill vs. Chance Debate
The legality of Dream11 often depends on whether courts classify it as:
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Game of Skill → Legal in most states
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Game of Chance → Considered gambling, therefore illegal
Courts like the Punjab & Haryana High Court have ruled Dream11 to be skill-based, but these rulings are not binding nationwide. Other states continue to challenge this interpretation.
The Online Gaming Bill, 2025
The biggest development came in August 2025, when the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
Key highlights:
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❌ Nationwide ban on all real-money online games, including fantasy sports.
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⚖ Penalties: Platforms, advertisers, and even players can face fines or jail time for violating the law.
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🏛 National Gaming Authority: A new regulator will promote esports, educational gaming, and enforce restrictions.
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🔄 Impact: Even states that earlier permitted Dream11 (like Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka) must now comply with the nationwide ban.
This law overrides state-wise differences, creating a uniform ban across India.
Dream11 Outside India
Dream11 is primarily focused on India, but international versions of fantasy sports apps exist in markets like the U.S. and Europe, where regulation is more structured.
Indian players living abroad may still be able to access fantasy contests, but the 2025 bill restricts Indian residents from legally participating in cash games.
Future of Fantasy Sports in India
The future of Dream11 and other fantasy sports platforms is uncertain. Potential directions include:
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Free-to-Play Models: Platforms may pivot to free contests with ad-based revenue.
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Subscription Services: A non-cash model where users pay for premium stats, insights, or leaderboard participation.
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Lobbying & Legal Challenges: Industry leaders may challenge the bill in courts, arguing for differentiation between gambling and skill-based sports.
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Shift to Esports: With the government promoting esports, fantasy operators could diversify into competitive gaming or educational apps.
Conclusion
As of 2025, Dream11 faces the toughest legal environment since its inception.
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Already banned in states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Telangana, with restrictions in Sikkim and Nagaland.
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Now, with the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, real-money contests are banned nationwide.
While the debate over skill vs. chance continues, the Indian government has taken a conservative approach to protect players from addiction and financial risks.
For players, this means:
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Stick to free contests if available.
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Do not use VPNs or bypass restrictions.
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Stay updated on ongoing legal changes, as court challenges could reshape the industry again.
The fantasy sports boom may not be over, but it must reinvent itself in the post-2025 regulatory era.
