Online Gaming Ban: Dream11, MPL, Zupee, Winzo and My11Circle Suspend Cash Games

India’s real-money gaming (RMG) industry has come to a standstill after Parliament approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The legislation, cleared by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha this week, prohibits all forms of online money games. These are defined as contests where players deposit money, directly or indirectly, in the expectation of winning cash rewards.

The move immediately impacted leading RMG companies such as Dream11, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Zupee, Winzo, and My11Circle, all of which suspended paid offerings on their platforms. While the sector had expanded rapidly in recent years, the new rules have forced operators to rework their business models and assure users of the safety of their wallet balances.

Law and Its Scope

The Online Gaming Ban covers any digital game where players make financial contributions in return for potential cash prizes. Unlike earlier state-level restrictions, this legislation applies nationwide and leaves no room for paid formats, whether based on skill or chance. The shift marks a decisive policy stance to curb gambling-like activity while promoting safer online engagement.

Immediate Company Responses

MPL, one of the largest operators, announced it would comply fully with the law. It suspended all money-based contests with immediate effect, stopping new deposits but enabling users to withdraw their balances. The firm emphasised its continued commitment to free-to-play formats and its long-term presence in India.

Zupee also halted its money-based games, highlighting that while no new deposits would be accepted, withdrawals would remain seamless. The company said its future focus would be on non-money gaming experiences aligned with India’s digital economy goals.

Dream11 told users that all cash games and contests would cease. The platform promised to return deposit balances by August 29, 2025, with winnings transferable to bank accounts. However, non-cash credits such as discount bonuses and points will expire by August 23, 2025.

Winzo informed players that wallet withdrawals would be available starting Monday, August 25, 2025, while My11Circle reassured its users that balances were fully safe and could be withdrawn at any time.

Impact on Users

For millions of Indian players, the sudden suspension of cash games raised questions about refunds. Industry statements have confirmed that deposits and winnings are secure, though promotional bonuses are excluded from withdrawal. This has provided some clarity during a period of uncertainty.

Conclusion

The Online Gaming Ban has swiftly reshaped India’s booming RMG market. Leading platforms have complied by removing paid formats, safeguarding user balances, and shifting their attention to free-to-play titles, loyalty-driven engagement, and non-cash models. While users lose access to cash contests, the industry is preparing for a new phase of growth under stricter regulatory oversight.

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