With the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just around the corner, the cricketing calendar's glitziest tournament has brought with it a familiar spike in fantasy gaming activity, but this time, much of it is happening outside the law.
The recent surge in illegal fantasy and betting apps is a direct consequence of India's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025, which came into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The law effectively banned all real-money online gaming, forcing a complete reset of the ecosystem.
The ‘Great Reset' And Its Fallout
When PROGA was passed in August 2025, it shut down the cash-based model that powered India's fantasy gaming boom. Platforms like Dream11, MPL and My11Circle pivoted to free-to-play formats, offering vouchers and merchandise instead of prize money.
But the shift left a massive vacuum, with millions of habitual users, cut off from real-money contests, looking for alternatives. That demand has now been absorbed almost entirely by offshore operators.
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A $15 Billion Illegal Market
Estimates suggest illegal fantasy and betting turnover could cross $15 billion (Rs 1.25 lakh crore) in 2026 alone.
What makes enforcement difficult is the constantly evolving playbook used by these operators.
Blocked websites quickly reappear as “mirror” domains with minor URL tweaks. Payments are routed through “mule accounts” to bypass banking restrictions. Promotions have shifted to private Telegram channels and Instagram influencers, using QR codes and direct links to avoid app store scrutiny.
As reported by NDTV Sports, these platforms are often marketed as “profitable” alternatives, with unrealistic return promises and aggressive referral bonuses. The ecosystem is driven by shadow promoters operating multiple Telegram communities, pushing users toward illegal apps without disclosing risks.
Users Bear The Biggest Risk
For users, the risks are significant and largely unprotected.
Most of these apps operate from offshore jurisdictions, leaving users exposed to fraud. Complaints of “withdrawal freezing”, where deposits are accepted but winnings cannot be withdrawn, are most common. There are also concerns around data theft and misuse of financial credentials.
Interestingly, enforcement agencies are treating users as victims, not offenders. The legal focus remains on promoters and operators, who face up to three years in prison and fines up to Rs 1 crore.
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Crackdown Intensifies
The government has ramped up enforcement in recent weeks.
Over 8,400 illegal websites and apps have already been blocked by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), including 300 in a single sweep last week.
The financial impact is also significant. The All India Gaming Federation estimates annual GST losses of around $2.5 billion due to the shift toward offshore platforms.
IPL's Official Alternative
In response, the IPL has launched its own official fantasy league for 2026, but within PROGA's framework.
There's no prize money. Instead, users compete for experiences such as ‘meet and greet' events with players, signed merchandise, and VIP final tickets.
Whether that is enough to pull users away from high-risk, high-reward illegal platforms remains the bigger question.
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