A Sudden Ban Just Shattered India’s Gaming Industry
In a move that has stunned the tech world, fantasy gaming giant Mobile Premier League (MPL) is slashing 60% of its workforce in India—roughly 300 employees—after a shocking government ban on real-money online gaming.
The news hit like a thunderbolt. Departments across the board—marketing, engineering, legal, finance—are affected. Careers built in one of India’s fastest-growing industries are now on the chopping block.
And it all happened because of one new law.
The Law That Turned Off the Money Tap
Last month, the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans all games involving financial stakes—even if they’re skill-based like fantasy cricket.
The goal, according to officials? To curb gaming addiction, protect families from debt, and reduce social harm.
But the fallout? Massive.
MPL’s Revenue Wiped Out in a Flash
India was half of MPL’s total revenue—about $100 million in 2024. That income is now zero.
In an internal email, CEO Sai Srinivas told staff the company had no choice but to “downsize significantly”. He admitted that MPL is no longer making any revenue from India.
From Billion-Dollar Darling to Survival Mode
Backed by big investors like Peak XV Partners and once valued at $2.3 billion, MPL is now scrambling to stay alive.
Its new plan?
- Kill real-money games in India
- Shift to free-to-play games
- Double down on markets like the U.S. and Brazil, where paid gaming is still legal
It’s a desperate pivot—but it might be the only way out.
The Fallout Isn’t Just MPL
Other top gaming platforms are also feeling the heat:
- Dream11, PokerBaazi, Zupee, and Probo have all paused or shut down their real-money games.
- Gaming company A23 is fighting back in court, calling the law unconstitutional.
India’s once-booming online gaming industry, projected to hit $3.6 billion by 2029, is now in deep freeze.
Is This the End of Real-Money Gaming in India?
Thousands of jobs. Billions in investments. Years of growth. All put on pause by one law.
Whether this ban is permanent—or whether legal battles and public pressure will turn the tide—remains to be seen.
But for now, MPL’s crash is the canary in the coal mine.
