India has imposed a nationwide ban on online gambling, forcing operators to shut down cash-based fantasy sports and card platforms. The move disrupts a sector worth nearly £1.8 billion annually and affects around 450 million users who are now turning to offshore websites for alternative gaming options.
Operators halt cash gaming services
Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform with 260 million users, has suspended all cash contests following the ban. The company has replaced monetary rewards with electronic gadgets and vehicle prizes to comply with the new law. Other platforms have also abandoned real-money games as authorities warn that violators could face up to five years in prison.
Revenue streams based on fantasy cricket, which flourished during the Indian Premier League (IPL), have been destroyed by the change. Operators had made substantial profits from betting on the IPL, but the ban has compelled them to immediately alter their business plans.
Sponsorship deals terminated
The ban has triggered major commercial fallout for Indian cricket. Dream11 has cancelled its £34 million jersey sponsorship agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Other fantasy operators are also stepping back from advertising and sponsorship commitments, removing a key source of funding for domestic cricket bodies.
Industry estimates show that fantasy platforms contributed nearly 40 percent of IPL advertising revenues before the ban. With these partnerships eliminated, the financial structure of the IPL faces pressure ahead of the next media rights cycle in 2027. Analysts expect valuations for television and digital broadcasting deals to decline as gambling-linked advertising disappears from the market.
Offshore websites gain users
While local operators comply with the law, unregulated offshore platforms are capturing displaced Indian players. Many users are turning to virtual private networks and foreign payment systems to access gambling sites outside India’s jurisdiction.
Authorities acknowledge that enforcement remains difficult when users access foreign operators, but the government has underlined its intention to pursue strict penalties for any local company found running cash-based gambling services.
Government cites addiction and security risks
Citing growing addiction issues and connections between illicit financial networks and online gaming platforms, officials proposed the prohibition. Despite its substantial economic impact, regulators pointed out that Indian customers were losing an estimated £1.8 billion a year as a result of online betting, which prompted the action.
The legislation introduces one of the toughest gambling frameworks in Asia. By attaching criminal penalties of up to five years, the government aims to eliminate commercial gambling entirely from the domestic market.
Impact on cricket and digital economy
The new law is reshaping India’s digital entertainment economy. Fantasy sports, once a leading driver of mobile gaming, are being replaced by prize-based systems that rely on goods rather than cash. Meanwhile, cricket bodies face the challenge of securing new advertising partners to replace lost revenues from gambling operators.
The IPL, which had become the largest advertising stage for fantasy platforms, will likely undergo changes in its sponsorship model. With nearly half of its ad revenues tied to gambling-linked firms, industry stakeholders warn of a decline in financial support for teams and organisers.
Future outlook
India’s ban has redrawn the online gaming landscape within days of its introduction. Domestic companies have rapidly complied with new restrictions, while offshore sites are drawing in millions of displaced players. Cricket, one of the country’s biggest industries, is preparing for a sponsorship shortfall as fantasy operators retreat from commercial deals.
The ban signals a new regulatory era for India’s digital sector. Its full impact will unfold over the coming years as both the gaming industry and sporting bodies adjust to an environment without online gambling revenues.
