5 Major Batting Apps Banned in India – Complete Guide 2025
Batting apps banned in India has become the biggest story in the gaming industry right now. The Indian Parliament recently passed a sweeping law that’s completely changed the landscape for fantasy sports and real-money gaming platforms. If you’re wondering what happened to your favorite apps and what this means for the future, you’re in the right place.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Happened with Batting Apps in India?
The story starts with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. On Thursday, the upper house of the Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 — proposing to completely ban real-money gaming while aiming to promote casual online games and esports. This wasn’t just a small regulatory tweak. It was a complete shutdown of an industry worth billions.
India’s parliament has passed a sweeping bill banning online gambling, after government figures showed companies had stripped $2.3bn annually from 450 million people. That’s a staggering number that shows just how massive this industry had become.
The bill specifically targets platforms that involve real money transactions, which includes most of the popular batting and fantasy sports apps that millions of Indians were using daily.
Major Batting Apps That Got Banned
Dream11 – The Biggest Casualty
Dream11 was probably the most recognizable name in Indian fantasy sports. Fantasy sports platform Dream11, which stopped paid contests last week, accounts for 95 percent of the revenues of Dream Sports and 100 percent of its profits. The company was so big that it was the title sponsor of the Indian cricket team.
But the ban hit them hard. The BCCI has confirmed the conclusion of its ₹358-crore jersey sponsorship agreement with Dream11. This decision follows the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which led Dream11 to discontinue its real money gaming activities.
Other Major Apps Affected
The ban doesn’t stop with Dream11. The government has officially banned popular betting apps such as Dream11, Stake, & My11 Circle, citing illegal gambling money According to recent reports, the list includes:
- My11Circle
- Stake
- Games24x7
- Winzo
- MPL (Mobile Premier League)
Historical data shows that India has now undertaken a fresh round of app bans in the country, targeting as many as 138 offshore betting platforms with links to China. This indicates the government has been building up to this comprehensive ban for years.
Why Were These Batting Apps Banned?
The government’s reasoning is pretty straightforward. They’re concerned about the massive financial impact on regular people. When you have 450 million people losing $2.3 billion annually, that’s not just a gaming issue anymore. It becomes a social and economic problem.
The new law specifically targets what officials see as predatory practices. Payment blocks: Banks/UPI/cards would be barred from processing such transactions. Penalties: Up to 3 years’ jail and fines for violations. This shows the government isn’t just making apps unavailable. They’re going after the entire ecosystem that supports real-money gaming.
The ban also covers advertising and promotion. The new regulations include no ads or promotions for money-gaming platforms, which means even if some apps tried to operate, they couldn’t market themselves.
Legal Consequences of Using Banned Batting Apps
This is where things get serious. The new law doesn’t just ban the apps – it criminalizes their use. India’s new online gambling laws could see offenders face up to five years in prison. That’s not a small penalty we’re talking about.
The penalties are structured at multiple levels:
- For Users: Up to 5 years in prison for participating in banned gaming activities
- For Operators: Up to 3 years jail and heavy fines for violations
- For Financial Institutions: Banks and payment processors face penalties for processing transactions
The government has also made it clear that they’ll block payment gateways, so even if you found a way to access these apps, you wouldn’t be able to add money to your account.
How the Industry is Responding
Dream11’s Response
The most interesting part of this whole situation is how the companies are responding. CEO Harsh Jain said Dream11 will not legally challenge the government’s ban on online real-money gaming, and plans to instead focus on new business models and self-regulation efforts to adapt to the changing landscape.
Dream Sports and Gameskraft will not challenge the online gaming law. Both companies are redirecting focus towards future opportunities. This is significant because it shows that even the biggest players in the industry accept that this ban is here to stay.
Looking for New Business Models
Companies aren’t just giving up. They’re trying to pivot. Dream11 is talking about “Dream11 3.0” which would presumably be a version that complies with the new law. But what that looks like exactly is still unclear.
The law does allow for casual online games and esports, so there might be opportunities in those areas. But the real-money component that made these apps so popular (and profitable) is definitely gone.
What This Means for Cricket Fans
If you were a regular user of these batting apps, especially for cricket fantasy leagues, this ban is probably hitting you hard. Cricket and fantasy sports had become deeply connected in India, with millions of fans using these platforms to engage with the sport they love.
The BCCI losing Dream11 as a sponsor is also significant for cricket fans. That ₹358-crore sponsorship deal was substantial, and it’s unclear how the BCCI will replace that revenue. This could potentially impact cricket development and player payments down the line.
Are There Any Legal Alternatives?
The new law is pretty comprehensive, but it does leave room for certain types of gaming. Esports and skill-based games that don’t involve real money betting might still be allowed. However, the definition of what constitutes “gambling” versus “skill-based gaming” is still being worked out.
For now, if you’re looking for cricket-related entertainment, you’ll need to stick to:
- Free fantasy leagues (no money involved)
- Esports competitions
- Traditional sports betting through licensed outlets (where legal)
- Following cricket through conventional media and apps
Global Context: How Other Countries Handle This
India isn’t the first country to ban online gambling apps. Many countries have similar restrictions, though few have implemented such a comprehensive ban so quickly.
The UK has regulated online gambling heavily, requiring licenses and imposing strict advertising restrictions. The US has a state-by-state approach, with some states allowing fantasy sports and others banning them entirely.
What makes India’s approach unique is the speed and comprehensiveness of the ban, as well as the harsh criminal penalties for violations.
What Happens Next?
The immediate impact is clear: the major batting apps are shutting down their real-money operations. But the longer-term effects are still unfolding.
We’re likely to see:
- International apps trying to enter the market: Some offshore platforms might try to serve Indian users, though the payment restrictions make this difficult
- New business models emerging: Companies will try to find ways to engage users without real money
- Underground markets developing: Unfortunately, bans often drive activity underground rather than eliminating it entirely
- Legal challenges: Despite current statements, some companies might eventually challenge the law in court
Economic Impact Beyond Gaming
The ban affects more than just the gaming companies. The advertising industry, cricket sponsorships, and even payment processors are all feeling the impact. The fantasy sports industry had become a major employer, especially in the tech sector, and many of those jobs are now at risk.
The government clearly believes that the social costs of these apps outweighed their economic benefits. Whether that calculation proves correct will become clearer over time.
Conclusion
The banning of batting apps in India represents a major shift in how the country approaches online gaming and gambling. While the immediate impact is disruptive for users and companies alike, the government’s position seems firm and comprehensive.
For users who enjoyed these platforms, the transition period will be challenging. But it’s important to understand that the legal risks of trying to circumvent the ban are serious. The penalties involve real jail time, not just fines.
The industry will likely adapt and evolve, but the era of big-money fantasy sports in India appears to be over. Whether this ultimately benefits or harms Indian consumers and the economy remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that it marks the end of an era.
For cricket fans specifically, this means finding new ways to engage with the sport you love that don’t involve real money betting. The good news is that cricket itself isn’t going anywhere, and there are still plenty of ways to enjoy and follow the game without financial risk.