India bans real-money online gaming as operators suspend paid contests
India’s parliament passed a bill prohibiting real-money online games, prompting MPL, Dream11, Zupee, PokerBaazi, My11Circle and WinZO to end paid offerings. MPL confirmed significant India team cuts, reportedly reducing staff from 500 to around 200, while A23 filed a challenge in the Karnataka High Court; Dream11 said it would retain staff and end its cricket-team sponsorship.
The ban forces operators to stop paid gaming or pursue legal challenges and alternative business models.