In a heartfelt message that has sent ripples across India’s startup and gaming community, Smrita Singh Chandra, former Vice President of Policy Communications at Dream11, has come forward to sharply criticise the Union government’s sweeping ban on real money online gaming (RMG). Her comments came just hours after the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a move that has effectively outlawed fantasy sports platforms such as Dream11.
Declaring a Platform Illegal After Years of Recognition Isn’t Just Wrong
Chandra, who spent nearly a decade building Dream11 communications and compliance strategies, expressed her disappointment in a candid LinkedIn post. “I am writing this with a heavy heart,” she began, before calling the government’s move both “deeply unjust” and “unethical.”
She recalled how Dream11 had been built “brick by brick, regulation by regulation, court order by court order,” carefully following compliance and ethical standards at every step. Despite this, she argued, the government had chosen to “criminalise a vibrant, skill-based industry overnight”, blurring the line between fantasy sports and gambling, even though courts including the Supreme Court had repeatedly recognised fantasy sports as games of skill protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.
A Sunrise Sector Facing Economic Fallout
Chandra also warned of the severe economic consequences of this decision. She pointed out that India’s fantasy sports market, valued at USD 1.82 billion in 2025, was projected to grow to USD 5.05 billion by 2030, at an impressive CAGR of 22.6%.
“These aren’t just numbers,” she wrote. “They reflect livelihoods, innovation in Indian sports, highly skilled jobs, and a new generation of digitally empowered sports fans.”
For her, the bill represents not only the silencing of an industry but also the dismantling of opportunities for thousands of young Indians who have found work and innovation in this sector.
The Government’s Stand
The bill, introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, bans all forms of real-money online gaming, whether based on skill or chance. At the same time, it seeks to promote esports and educational gaming, creating a sharp divide between fantasy sports platforms and government-recognised e gaming initiatives.
By placing fantasy sports under the same umbrella as gambling, critics argue that the government has erased years of legal clarity and industry progress, potentially leaving millions of users and workers in limbo.
A Call for Dialogue and Fairness
In her closing words, Chandra urged the government to engage in dialogue with the industry rather than impose blanket restrictions. “This isn’t just about one company. This is about fairness. About creating an ecosystem where innovation is encouraged, not penalised without dialogue,” she wrote, signing off as a “proud ex Dreamster.”
Her words echo the sentiments of many within the industry, who now fear that India may lose its edge in the global gaming ecosystem, even as other countries are moving towards progressive regulation of online skill based platforms.
Disclaimer: The details in this article are based on official announcements, public statements, and available data as of August 2025. Policies, regulations, and market projections may change over time. Readers are advised to verify the latest updates from official government and industry sources before drawing conclusions.
