The Indian fantasy sports are going crazy– and, rightfully so. Games such as Dream11, MPL, and My11Circle have turned the interest in sports into a fun yet strategic platform that hypes up the enthusiasm people have towards cricket, kabaddi, football, etc in India. It has become one of the biggest digital entertainment trends in the country. The industry is expected to reach 50,000 crore by 2025 began as an amusing distraction, but now, there are more than 180 million active users of fantasy applications across the country.
The beating heart of this revolution is Dream11- India’s most dominant fantasy platform. By the end of 2023, Dream11 will already have a mouth‑dropping 210 million registered players, an increase of 55 million in a 12-month-span-72 percent of new gamers are in small towns.
This bombastic spread has led to Dream11 gaining a market share of nearly 90%, and indeed, they became a part of history themselves when they became the first title sponsor of the IPL 2020 tasked with 222 crores to get the best of brand exposure.
The revenue of 1,614,741,706 and profit after tax of 187,922,200 in FY 23 make the company more than a unicorn: it is a powerhouse of sports-tech. And as there are whispers of an IPO and major-brand sponsorship in the mix, the fantasy gaming mania in India is not slackening off, but stepping on the gas: full-throttle ahead.
Is Dream11 Legal in India? Here’s the Truth
Fantasy sports websites such as Dream11 have traditionally been the subject of controversy in the judicial grounds of India, yet throughout the years, they have received ample judicial support. The fundamental question that continues to spark debate is whether Dream11 is a game of skill or a game of chance.
Legal History & Landmark Judgments:
In 2017, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana held that Dream11 constitutes a significant level of skill, strategy, and analytic talent thereby excluding it under the definition of gambling. The Bombay High Court reaffirmed in 2019 that it is clearly not a game of chance, emphasizing that users must possess a strong understanding of the sport, team dynamics, and player statistics in order to succeed.
The High Court of Rajasthan expressed the same opinions, and in 2021, it was concluded that Dream11 is legal, and the Indian Supreme Court denied the right to review the case. The constitutional court took the stand that fantasy sports participated by the players in the present structure do not amount to betting or gambling in India.
Game of Chance vs. Game of skill
The test prevalent in Indian courts is called the predominance of skill. When a game requires greater skill than luck, then it is legal. On Dream11, one is called to analyze the current performance of the players, the conditions of the pitch, the lineups of the teams, and the mechanism of the match itself, which is decisive evidence of a skill-based game. This statutory difference exempts Dream11 and other fantasy sites from the bracket of gambling at the central level.
States of India Where Dream11 is Prohibited
Some states have also put limits in spite of national acceptability because of local gaming laws. Today, Dream11 is prohibited in:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Assam
- Odisha
These states geo-block users by not allowing participation in paid contests or withdrawals. There are conditional rules in Sikkim and Nagaland.
Final Verdict
It is not illegal in the country of India as it has the backing of several High Court rulings and the Supreme Court. Since it is recognized as a game of skill, it is legally permitted as a digital game. Nonetheless, they need to be informed about the local legislation due to the regional differences in laws.
The platform has assumed a balanced approach to its activities and still strives to operate under the direction of a changing set of legal regulations within its core business idea– to present it as a reliable and legitimate chance of doing business in the oversaturated fantasy sports industry in India.
Understanding the Law: Fantasy Sports & Real Money Gaming
The fantasy gaming industry and real-money fantasy sports are some of the most active in a dynamically changing legal environment in India, as a combination of national law, state-by-state regulations, and newly discovered approaches to online governance are rolled out. Entrepreneurs and businesses keen on fantasy app development have to understand this changing legal environment.
Central Law: Public Gambling Act, 1867
The prohibitive law in force even today which forms the basis of the law in India regarding games of chance in public gaming-houses is a law of 1867, entitled the Public Gambling Act. This, however, is an important exemption made in Section 12 of the Act–that the games which are of skill are not included in gambling.
This one among the many has allowed fantasy sports apps such as Dream11 to exist within the legal boundaries in case they exceed the minimum requirement of being considered a game of skill.
Skill-Based Gaming Exemptions
Fantasy sports have been deemed to be legal since they are based on considerable judgment, research, and strategy. The players need to study player statistics, match conditions, and combinations of teams–eliminating that there is no luck in it, and everything lies in skill. The Supreme Court and the different High Courts have time and again held that fantasy sports fall in the category of games of skill and are hence constitutionally privileged.
State-Wise Legal Variance
Gaming is a state issue in India which implies that each state can choose to control or limit it. Whereas in most states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, and West Bengal, fantasy sports is permissible; some states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, and Odisha prohibit or have restricted the sites. Sikkim and Nagaland permit operations under a licensing-based model. Such state-wise differences mean that legal compliance is a very important element of app development in this industry.
Regulatory Bodies
The industry has a series of self-regulatory industry bodies that are operational in developing the best practices:
- FIFS (Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports) promotes ethical behaviour and upholds fair play.
- All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) supports responsible gaming and the welfare of player.
- EGF (E-Gaming Federation) operates on compliance, advertising codes, and anti-fraud actions.
Such entities promote open policy, age confirmation, complaints and redress, and internet security.
MeitY’s Role & 2023–24 Regulatory Updates
It was a momentous step in the year 2023 when the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted amendments to the IT Rules. The new regulations will enable the online gaming sites to be registered and checked by identified Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs). Its target is to illuminate and avoid misleading advertisements and ensure user security in real-money gaming applications.
Also, a few states have enabled discussions of the possibility of special regulatory agencies to draw the line between games of chance and those of skill–further legalizing the fantasy sports industry.
Powering Legal & Scalable Fantasy Apps
With the momentum of fantasy gaming platforms, commercial interests need to develop legally compliant, scalable, and user-friendly applications. Infowind Technologies is your reliable mobile app developer, its centre of concern being ground-breaking high-performance, real-money gaming solutions. We are also a group concerned with iOS app development addressing the legal, functional, and UX requirements of the fantasy sports business.
Also Read: Most Popular Fantasy Sports Apps in India
Can You Build a Gaming App Like Dream11 Legally?
Sure, it is lawful to make a fantasy sports app like Dream11 but not an easy task as it involves proper knowledge of Indian gaming regulations, legal mechanisms, and adherence to technology. Fantasy sports today being a game of skill, there is a golden time when developers and entrepreneurs can dive into the real money real gaming market that is slated to grow tremendously. Nonetheless, the start-up of such a platform as Dream11 has its legal milestones.
Important Legal Factors Key Legal Factors
You have to make sure that your app can be classified not as a gambling platform but as a skill-based gaming platform before launching. Fantasy sports have been declared legal under conditions in which results rely mostly on skill and strategy but not on a lot. This difference is very important in securing your app under the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and the applicable state laws.
Compliance & Legal Consultation
It is strongly advised that anyone planning to consult with a legal authority or a professional in law who addresses various games. Such platforms should comply with the regulations in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, where fantasy gaming is prohibited. In case you are pan-India, you will need to geo-block your users, who are not allowed in these areas.
Licensing & Platform Terms
Even though the existing central licensing is still not in place, the adherence to industry affiliations such as FIFS or AIGF may help in gaining more credibility, as well as ethical compliance. The legal standards and user trust conditions that have to be met by your platform of work also include the terms and conditions, privacy policy, and responsible gaming policies.
Secure Payments & KYC
Incorporation of secure payment gateways and effective KYC verification has to do with trust but it is also a legal requirement of real-money gaming applications. This makes it transparent, fraud-free and easy to withdraw, in cases of UPI, wallets, or card-based transactions.
How to Build a Gaming App That Makes Money
To construct a gaming application such as Dream11, code and creativity are not the only areas being considered; to form a legally compliant yet profit-seeking platform, it is necessary to create a legal platform. By applying appropriate monetization techniques and a technical base, your fantasy app or other real-money games can prove to be a solid source of income.
Proven Monetization Strategies
Tournament fees & Prize pools
This is the most famous approach to fantasy sports applications. A low fee enables users to get into competitions, and they are rewarded with cash prizes. You may organize various leagues, jackpots, and levels to keep the participants engaged.
Advertisements and Spending
It can accumulate continuous revenue by incorporating ad networks or becoming a partner of brands. The extra income can be gained through rewarded video advertisements or in-game notice boards without negatively affecting users.
In-App Purchases
Provide upgrades, extra features such as bonus money, analytics module, or avatar customization. With microtransactions, the small purchases compound and are good to keep players coming.
Subscription Models
Offer high-value access in the form of a monthly/seasonal subscription. Advantages such as predictions of professionals, advertisement-free playing experience, or early access to the contests may be subject to a paywall.
Tips to Retain Users & Boost Engagement
To make sure your users come back:
- Institute referral incentives and daily payment of awards
- Wisely use push notifications to remind you of matches
- Add in real-time leader boards and user statistics
- Make UI fast, easy, and enjoyable
Choose the Right Tech Stack & Team
Gaming apps are sensitive about performance, scalability, and in-time responsiveness. Cross-platform solutions such as Flutter and Android-native app development guarantee cross-platform consistency and a rapid experience for the user.
Interested in producing an income-bringing game app? Believe Infowind Technologies, the top Flutter application development firm and Android app developer. Our specialisation includes the development of fantasy sports, real-money games, and interactive ones according to your business objectives.
Success Checklist: What You Need
Putting a fantasy or real-money gaming app out there? The following success checklist should help you make sure your success platform is well-compelling, legally valid, and growth-friendly.
UI/UX Gaming App
First impressions. An easy-to-navigate user interface can boost conversions and retention. Ensure:
- Immediate onboarding and a small friction for users
- Pure designs with colorful and sport-oriented patterns
- Match updates and scoreboards are matched as animations in real-time
- Hassle-free navigation between contests, wallet, and leaderboards
Must-Have Features
To rival such leading apps as Dream11, your platform should incorporate:
- Track the contest in real-time with the live leaderboard
- Convenient cashier with deposit, withdrawal, and bonuses
- Referral system as an incentive for user-based expansion
- Engagement and reactivation push notifications
Data Security & Fair Play
In real-money gaming, it is all about trust. Implement:
- KYC verification and encrypted transactions
- Anti-fraud detectors
- Clear-cut policy of fair play and scoring logic
These not only develop trust in the users but will develop the ranking of the app store and retention levels.
Legal Checklist & compliance
There are things that you can do to keep your app compliant:
- Do not do it in limited states such as Telangana, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh
- Make legal definitions of a game of skill consistent
- Write down a privacy policy and clear T&Cs
- Include safe payment gateways, age disclosure and so on
- Consider going along with the self-regulatory organizations such as FIFS or AIGF
Have an experienced developer team behind you that constantly implements the logic of the game, the actions of the users, and the requirements of the law in the foundations. Want help? Just say the word and we will take you folks through!
Real Examples of Money-Making Gaming Apps in India
Fantasy sports and the real-money game industry are on a boom in India- and Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, and Mobile Premier League are some of the applications that are making it happen. These platforms demonstrate how a combination of technology, law-abiding, and clever monetization could transform games into a billion-rupee industry.
Dream11
Dream11 is the largest fantasy sports platform in India with an audience of above 210 million users. The first Indian gaming unicorn was known to have an intuitive UI, a broad match coverage (IPL, football, kabaddi, etc.), and skill-based gameplay. In FY23, its sales exceeded 6,300 crore with most of its money coming in the form of entry charges, competitions, and brand association. Proper IPL sponsorships and regular interaction with the user have led to it being a criterion for successful fantasy apps.
MPL (Mobile Premier League)
MPL is a fantasy shot sports with casual games through chess, rummy, fruit– slash. MPL hosts more than 90 million users and it has extended its services to satisfy the needs of both casual and competitive gamers. It earns through admissions and advertisements as well as branded sponsorships and it has even gone to international markets such as the US and Indonesia. To enhance retention, MPL puts importance on real-time competitions and low-entry competitions.
My11Circle
My11Circle, with the investments of Games24x7, became well-known due to celebrity endorsements (such as Sourav Ganguly) and the rapid growth of users. It has cash contests, a leaderboard, and customized challenges so it has a good chance to compete with Dream11. It has a twofold monetization plan based on prize pools, exclusive competitions, and rewards for user loyalty.
Mobile Premier League (MPL)
Yes, MPL needs a second nod because of its multi-vertical gaming platform, which has esports tournaments, fantasy leagues, and skill games. It presents an aspect of the future-gaming trend incorporating the old-style fantasy and new style of games such as quiz duels and arcade games.
Such platforms prove that a gaming app may be extremely popular and highly profitable in the digital economy of India with the help of adequate features, including live leaderboards, a fast withdrawal mechanism, a referral program, and a scalable backend.
Also Read: Top Mobile Games Developed in India
Future of Gaming Apps in India
The gaming industry in India is at a major turning point. The gaming application industry will find its future particularly disruptive, immersive, and highly personalized as the number of mobile gamers exceeds half a billion, and the market is expected to reach an assessment worth up to $8.6 billion by 2027.
Expected Regulatory Changes
The government of India is increasing the heat on the real-money gaming rules as the industry continues to grow. As MeitY brings changes to the IT Rules in 2023, clearer structures will emerge in areas such as licensing, age-verifying procedures, norms of advertising, online gaming platforms compliance, etc. States are also looking into specific regulatory bodies and this could come out as a more standard and national policy in the future. The actions will help develop a safe, transparent, and legally regulated gaming environment that both the user and the operator can enjoy.
Web3 & Fantasy Sports Integration
One of the most promising trends is the use of Web3 in fantasy game apps. Fantasy sports can become decentralized using blockchain, where ownership is divisible in digital assets and reward systems are provided openly.
Think of users owning rare NFTs or obtaining tokens that can be exchanged with platforms. Web3 would transform the way users contribute to, earn a profit on, and interact with fantasy leagues, too, bringing security and demonstrable justiceß pilot with smart contracts.
AI-Powered Personalization in Gaming
AI is transforming the experience of users with the help of gaming apps. New forms of user interfaces, such as interactive, or recommendation of contests, based on dissimilar challenges, AI is transforming platforms into smarter platforms.
The predictive models can be used to interpret the behavior of the user, their competence level, and their habits to provide custom modes of games, special bonuses, and custom matchmaking based on the skills. Not only does this increase user retention but also lifetime value per user which makes AI a very key asset when it comes to next-gen fantasy and gaming app environments.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Of course, it is worth developing a fantasy sports or a real-money game app in India, provided that it is within the legal frameworks and in compliance with the ethics of gaming as well as a fine technological base. As the fantasy sports sector has seen phenomenal growth, the potential to bank on a highly active base of users is enormous on the part of the start-up and existing companies.
But, it is not an idea alone that is successful in this space. You must create a platform, that values user trust, information security, equitable gaming, and legal transparency. Good news? Divine intervention and a good development partner, latest technology, and responsible thinking, you can introduce an app that becomes a game changer in an already aggressive business.
We assist clients in developing high-performance fantasy platforms based on the newest technology stack, such as React Native, Flutter, and native stacks, at Infowind Technologies. In case you are looking at the concept, have a look at the most downloaded fantasy sports apps in India to get inspired.
It is time to innovate responsibly. Let us create something great together and that is secure, scalable, and successful.
