Dream11’s Winning Streak Facing A Reality Check In Gujarat?

There is no national rulebook yet. The central government hasn’t clarified whether fantasy games count as gambling. Nor has it put forward a concrete policy on the matter. As a result, its legal status varies across states. In Gujarat, where a large number of young users actively participate, the need for regulatory oversight is becoming increasingly important.

With each IPL season, participation in fantasy games spikes as people try their luck to bag attractive prizes. But not all states are on board. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Telangana have banned platforms like Dream11, and it’s also prohibited in Sikkim and Nagaland. Meanwhile, states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have not placed any restrictions. Interestingly, the Gujarat High Court had initially banned the platform, but the Supreme Court later gave it the green light. A similar petition was filed in Rajasthan, but no ban has been imposed there yet.

A senior Gujarat police officer noted that while India does have a legal framework for gambling, the laws are outdated—drafted long before the rise of the internet—and don’t clearly address online gambling or fantasy gaming. Since gambling and betting fall under the State List in the Constitution, each state has the freedom to impose its own rules. That is why some states allow these platforms quietly, while others have clamped down hard.

On the question of whether Gujarat might ban Dream11, a senior government official said, “Before imposing any restrictions or regulations on Dream11 or similar online games, we will study the issue. Depending on the situation in various states, a specific policy or guideline may be issued. We also intend to seek guidance from the central government on this matter.” Dream11, an online fantasy sports platform, allows users to invest money and build teams in sports like cricket, football, hockey, and basketball. It was founded in 2012 by two IIT graduates, who wanted to offer fans a fresh way to engage with sports, Given cricket’s popularity in India, the company initially focused on fantasy cricket. Since the government currently classifies it as a “game of skill,” it has not been banned. Players who earn the highest points win prizes, and Dream11 hosts both free and paid games. To participate, users must verify their accounts using their PAN card.

Dream11 claims to have 250 million users in India. Its tagline—“Play fantasy sports and win cash prizes on Dream11”—highlights the thrill, but it also hints at a grey area of unregulated play. Financial expert A.K. Manthan recently tweeted, "Dream11 users have now  surpassed demat account holders—exactly what the government wants in India's Fantasy gaming generates significant tax revenue through GST and income tax, which is one reason the government avoids an outright ban. Platforms like Dream11 have undeniably transformed the digital gaming space in India.

The company has managed to avoid legal trouble largely because it operates within the boundaries of the law—and perhaps because of the big-name cricketers who regularly endorse it. Recently in Jharkhand, a few young players hit the jackpot overnight after creating winning teams on Dream11 and receiving large sums directly in their bank accounts. But the lure of quick riches has also led many others into deep financial losses.

One case that drew public attention was in Maharashtra's Pimpri-Chinchwad, where Police Sub- Inspector Somnath Zhende was suspended about a year and a half ago. He had won ₹1.5 crore through Dream11. However, after appearing in an interview while wearing his police uniform—a violation of conduct rules—he lost his job. In self-defence, he said, “This is a game. People play it for hours. It is not gambling, yet I was accused.”

According to a recent report, the fantasy sports industry generated ₹9,100 crore in revenue during FY 2024. However, following recent changes in tax policy, growth has slowed down. Revenue is projected to dip to ₹8,200 crore in 2025, but it is expected to climb back to ₹9,400 crore in 2026 and reach ₹12,900 crore by 2029. Leading players in the online fantasy sports include Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, and BalleBaazi. India accounted for 4% of the global fantasy sports market in FY24. The global market, estimated at ₹2.1 trillion, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7%.