Dream11 Shuts Paid Contests, Moves Fully to Free-to-Play Social Gaming

Mumbai, August 23 – In response to India’s newly enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, Dream11 has made a decisive shift—officially discontinuing all paid contests and transitioning entirely to a free-to-play online social gaming model. This marks a major strategic pivot for the fantasy sports platform.

The change comes after President Droupadi Murmu accorded assent to the legislation, which now regulates online gaming and strictly prohibits real-money contests. Dream11’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to abide by the new legal framework while exploring opportunities to keep users engaged through non-monetary gameplay experiences.

In parallel, other major platforms—including My11Circle, MPL, Zupee, and Gameskraft—have also ceased their real-money operations, pivoting toward ad-supported and free-to-play offerings to retain their user base.

This regulatory shift has brought India’s fantasy gaming sector to a crossroads. While skill-based platforms will adapt by refocusing on user engagement and compliance, many say the law poses challenges—especially given that real-money contests generated the majority of revenue for these platforms.


Summary Table Dream11 Shifts to Free-to-Play Model After Regulatory Turn

Key InsightWhat It Means
Business Model RedefinedDream11 now fully committed to free-to-play social gaming.
New Legal LandscapeReal-money contests are now banned under new law.
Revenue ChallengePlatforms face steep revenue losses from paid contests.
User Engagement FocusExpect more innovative, non-monetary game formats ahead.

Stay tuned with Sejal News Network for real-time updates on the evolving world of online gaming and fantasy sports.

Written by Saurabh Tamhane

Saurabh Tamhane is the founder and editorial head of Sejal News Network. With over 5 years of experience in digital journalism and storytelling, he covers politics, technology, and startup culture with a sharp analytical eye. <strong>Expertise:</strong> Investigative Journalism, Startup News, Public Policy

Share This Article
Exit mobile version