The passage of the Online Gaming Bill, 2025 has dealt a heavy blow to India’s gaming sector, with fantasy sports giant Dream11 taking the hardest hit. The law, which prohibits all forms of real-money gaming including fantasy sports, has caused Dream11’s revenues to collapse by nearly 95 percent, wiping out profits almost overnight.
Despite this financial shock, the company has assured its workforce that jobs are safe. Harsh Jain, CEO and co-founder of Dream Sports, announced that no layoffs are planned. Instead, the company is redirecting its focus towards non-gaming verticals such as FanCode, DreamSetGo, Dream Game Studios, and its fintech platform, Dream Money. Jain emphasized that Dream Sports has built sufficient financial reserves to keep operations stable for the next few years while it works on reinventing its future strategy.
The impact on the company’s valuation, previously estimated at around eight billion dollars, is expected to be significant. Jain acknowledged that a dip in market value is inevitable but expressed confidence that the company’s strong talent pool and ability to innovate would play a crucial role in its recovery.
Rather than challenging the law in court, Dream11 has chosen a cooperative path by fully complying with the legislation. The company is now exploring new opportunities in artificial intelligence-driven products and platforms designed to enhance sports engagement without relying on money-based games.
Another major shift could be seen in the world of cricket sponsorship. Dream11 is reportedly in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw from its lucrative ₹358 crore jersey sponsorship deal, as the new law restricts the promotion of money-based gaming services.
The months ahead will be pivotal for Dream11 and its parent company Dream Sports. While the ban has erased its core business model, the company’s strategy of diversification, innovation, and compliance may shape its transformation from a fantasy sports leader into a broader sports and tech powerhouse.
