Indian online gaming giant Mobile Premier League (MPL) will lay off about 60% of its India workforce, roughly 300 out of 500 employees, following the government’s recent ban on paid online games. The move marks the first major industry fallout from the new law.
The Modi government banned online paid games earlier this month, citing financial and addiction risks among youth. The decision has forced shutdowns across fantasy cricket, poker, and rummy apps, segments that had powered India’s fast-growing gaming industry.
Industry Hit Hard by Ban
Backed by global investors such as Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), India’s online gaming sector was projected to reach $3.6 billion by 2029. MPL, valued at $2.3 billion in 2021, had been one of the flagbearers of the boom, alongside rival Dream11.
The industry has long argued that fantasy sports are based on skill, not chance, and therefore should not be treated as gambling. Still, with the ban in place, both MPL and Dream11 have shut down their fantasy cricket offerings.
Internal Email Confirms Downsizing
In an internal staff email sent Sunday, MPL CEO Sai Srinivas wrote: “With a heavy heart we have decided that we will be downsizing our India Team significantly.”
The email did not specify numbers, but company sources confirmed to Reuters that 300 jobs across marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal divisions will be cut.
“We are committed to providing those impacted with every possible support during this transition period … India accounted for 50% of M-League’s revenues and this change would mean that we would no longer be making any revenue from India in the near future,” Srinivas added.
MPL declined to comment on Reuters’ queries.
Shifting Focus Abroad
MPL is now expected to concentrate on free-to-play games in India while expanding its presence in international markets, particularly the U.S. and Brazil, where paid gaming remains legal. The company also runs free-to-play titles in Europe.
According to the company source, MPL’s India revenue last year was about $100 million. Rival Dream11, valued at $8 billion, is also scaling back domestic operations after the ban.
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Industry Pushback
In a first, Indian gaming company A23 has legally challenged the government’s ban. However, both MPL and Dream11 have chosen not to pursue court action. The uncertainty has cast a shadow over investor-backed gaming startups in India, many of which are now struggling to survive in the absence of paid game revenues.
