MPL to Lay Off 60% of Staff Following Government Ban on Paid Gaming

Online gaming firm Mobile Premier League (MPL) has announced a significant downsizing following the Indian government’s ban on paid online games. The company is preparing to release around 300 out of its 500 employees, or nearly 60% of its domestic workforce, according to a company source. The cuts will affect several divisions, including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal.

The new law, introduced earlier this month by the govt, prohibits paid games such as fantasy cricket, rummy, and poker. The government cited financial risks and rising addiction among young people as the primary reasons for the ban. 

The decision has severely impacted India's rapidly expanding online gaming industry, which was expected to be worth $3.6 billion by 2029 and had attracted significant investments from major venture capital firms like Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners.

Industry Impact and Revenue Fallout

As per Pitchbook data, MPL, once valued at $2.3 billion in 2021, had built its reputation on paid fantasy sports but also offers free-to-play games in Europe and runs paid gaming operations in the United States and Brazil. 

As per news reports, in India, the company reported annual revenues of about $100 million last year. Rival platform Dream11, valued at $8 billion, has also shut down its fantasy cricket offering, demonstrating how deeply the ban is impacting the industry.

MPL’s Strategic Shift and Leadership Message

In an internal email to staff seen by Reuters, MPL CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret at the company’s decision: “With a heavy heart, we have decided that we will be downsizing our India Team significantly.” 

He added, “We are committed to providing those impacted with every possible support during this transition period ... India accounted for 50% of M-League's revenues and this change would mean that we would no longer be making any revenue from India in the near future.”

Read More: Online Game Cash Withdrawal: Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, Zupee and Winzo Refund Process Explained!

Conclusion 

The government’s ban on paid games has reshaped India’s gaming sector, forcing major players like MPL and Dream11 to halt operations. While MPL’s layoffs mark a major setback, the company is redirecting its energy towards international markets. The industry’s future in India remains uncertain, with ongoing debates on whether fantasy gaming is skill-based or akin to gambling.

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