Responsible Gaming
Important Notice
SportsPinch is a sports news and information website only. We do not operate any fantasy sports platform. We do not collect any deposits, entry fees or payments from users. We do not run any paid or free fantasy contests. We are not affiliated with any fantasy sports operator. All content on SportsPinch is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
What Is This Page About?
This page exists to educate our readers about responsible gaming practices and the current legal status of fantasy sports in India. We believe it is our responsibility to keep our readers informed about laws that may affect them.
Legal Status of Fantasy Sports in India — Updated May 2026
The legal landscape for fantasy sports in India has changed completely in 2025 and 2026. Here is everything you need to know.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 — PROGA
In August 2025 the Parliament of India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 — also known as PROGA. This was India’s first dedicated central online gaming law. Before this law India had no single national framework for online gaming. Different states had different rules which created a lot of confusion.
PROGA changed everything. It introduced a strict nationwide ban on all real-money online games including paid fantasy sports contests. This means any platform where users deposit money and win cash prizes is now prohibited under Indian law.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026
On April 22 2026 the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology — MeitY — notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026. These Rules came into full force on May 1 2026. They give operational effect to the PROGA Act and establish a brand new central regulator called the Online Gaming Authority of India — OGAI — which is headquartered in New Delhi.
What Is Allowed Under PROGA 2026
Under the new law these activities are fully permitted in India:
- Free-to-play fantasy sports contests where no money is deposited or won
- E-sports competitions and tournaments
- Online social games with no monetary stake
- Sports quizzes, predictions and fan engagement features without cash prizes
What Is Banned Under PROGA 2026
Under the new law these activities are prohibited across all of India:
- Paid fantasy sports contests where users deposit money to enter
- Real-money gaming platforms offering cash prizes
- Any online game where a monetary stake is involved
- Platforms collecting user deposits without a licence from the Online Gaming Authority of India
What Happened to Dream11 and Other Fantasy Apps
Dream11 — India’s most popular fantasy sports platform — discontinued all paid contests after PROGA was passed in August 2025. It has now shifted entirely to a free-to-play model offering sports quizzes, fan engagement features and interactive content. Other major platforms including MPL, WinZO and My11Circle have also removed all real-money contests to comply with the new law.
States Where Paid Fantasy Was Already Banned Before PROGA
Even before PROGA came into force in 2025 these states had already banned paid fantasy sports:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Assam
- Odisha
- Telangana
- Sikkim — restricted due to state licensing requirements
- Nagaland — restricted due to local licensing requirements
Now that PROGA applies nationwide all of India is covered by the same law regardless of which state you live in.
What This Means for You as a Reader
As of May 1 2026 real-money fantasy sports are banned across all of India. You may only participate in free-to-play fantasy contests offered by platforms that are operating legally within the PROGA framework. Always check that the platform you are using has a valid licence from the Online Gaming Authority of India before participating in any contest even a free one.
If you are outside India the laws in your country may be different. It is your responsibility to check the legal status of fantasy sports in your country before participating in any contest.
SportsPinch’s Position
SportsPinch is a sports news and information website. We want to be completely transparent with our readers about what we are and what we are not.
We are — a cricket and sports news website
We are — an informational platform covering player profiles and match updates
We are — a fantasy sports information site covering news about fantasy apps
We are not — a fantasy sports platform
We are not — a real-money gaming operator
We are not — affiliated with any paid fantasy sports service
We are not — responsible for any financial decisions you make on any fantasy platform
Any fantasy app reviews published on SportsPinch are purely for informational purposes. We review these apps as a news and information service. We do not endorse, recommend or encourage you to deposit money on any platform. We strongly advise all readers to check the legal status of any platform before using it and to only participate in free contests that are legally permitted in your state and country.
Responsible Gaming Practices
Even for free fantasy contests we encourage all readers to follow responsible gaming habits at all times.
Set time limits
Decide how much time you want to spend on fantasy sports each week and stick to that limit. Do not let fantasy sports take over your daily life, studies or work.
Play for fun only
Fantasy sports should be enjoyed as a hobby and a way to engage with sport. Never treat it as a way to make money or as a serious competition. It is entertainment — nothing more.
Never deposit money on unverified platforms
Since paid contests are banned in India under PROGA 2026 be very careful about any platform asking you to deposit money. This could be illegal. Only use platforms that have a valid licence from the Online Gaming Authority of India.
Protect your personal information