India’s gaming industry is going through its toughest phase. After the new Online Gaming Bill came into effect, several big companies have confirmed that they will shut down their real-money gaming apps.
Dream11, MPL, Zupee, Gamekraft’s RummyCulture, Games24x7’s My11Circle, and Probo have all announced that they are discontinuing operations in the real money gaming segment. These apps were once market leaders, but the sudden regulatory change has forced them to exit. More companies are expected to follow in the coming days.
For years, these companies legally operated in the country because they categorised themselves as a game of skills. They built multi-billion-dollar businesses and were key companies in India’s digital boom. Dream 11 became so big that it is currently sponsoring the Indian cricket team.
This move comes just a week after the bill received cabinet approval. The law aims to regulate online betting and real money games, but its immediate impact is clear. India’s ₹2 lakh crore gaming industry is now facing a huge crisis. You can read my detailed analysis of the industry’s future here: Game Over? India’s ₹2 Lakh Crore Gaming Boom Faces a Major Threat.
I have also covered how the Online Gaming Bill got cabinet nod and what it means for betting apps in detail: Online Gaming Bill Gets Cabinet Nod: Betting Apps to Face Stricter Rules
Millions of users who played fantasy cricket, rummy, or quiz games for money will no longer have access to these apps. For many, this was not just entertainment but also a source of side income. Although most users only lose money, there have been a few cases where people have earned big. Now, after this ban, some users may move to legal skill-based games, but hardcore users will feel the absence strongly. There is also a risk that some may shift towards unregulated or underground platforms, which can be unsafe.
There’s a darker side to these real-money games. There have been a few cases where people died by suicide after losing their life savings in these games. In Karnataka alone, police records show 32 suicides linked to online gaming between January 2023 and July 2025. Helpline centers in Hyderabad report a 60 % rise in distress calls related to betting during the IPL season. These stats confirm real lives and families broken by addiction and loss.
The shutdown of these apps will directly impact jobs. Companies like Dream11 and MPL employed thousands of people across operations, customer support, and marketing. Apart from direct employment, the entire ecosystem of advertising, influencers, payment partners, and gaming studios will face losses. The real money gaming industry was contributing significantly to government revenue through GST, and that income will now shrink.
With these exits, India’s gaming sector is entering an uncertain phase. The next few months will decide whether new rules open doors for a safer and regulated ecosystem, or if they end up slowing down one of the fastest-growing digital industries.
