On August 31, 2025, Mobile Premier League (MPL), a Bengaluru-based gaming unicorn, announced it would lay off 60% of its India workforce—approximately 300 employees—following India’s ban on paid online games. MPL, backed by Peak XV Partners, is a leading fantasy and card gaming platform. The layoffs, impacting marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal teams, stem from a revenue collapse. The company is expanding nationwide, with MPL pivoting to global markets. The announcement was made via an internal email on August 30, 2025. The ban, citing addiction and financial risks, has crippled MPL’s core business.
A Sweeping Legislative Shift
India’s parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, on August 20, receiving presidential assent on August 22, outlawing all online games involving monetary stakes, . The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cited concerns over financial losses, addiction, and social distress, particularly among youth, per reports. MPL, which earned $100 million in India last year—50% of its revenue—now faces “zero revenue” from its home market, according to an email from CEO Sai Srinivas to staff.
MPL’s Drastic Response
In an internal email dated August 30, 2025, Srinivas expressed regret, stating, “With a heavy heart, we have decided to downsize our India team significantly,” committing to support affected employees. The layoffs affect roughly 300 of MPL’s 500 India staff across multiple departments. MPL, valued at $2.3 billion in 2021, has suspended real-money games, with its app displaying, “Deposits are no longer available.” The company is now shifting focus to free-to-play games in Europe and paid games in the US and Brazil.
Industry-Wide Ripple Effects
The ban has disrupted India’s $3.6 billion online gaming industry, projected to reach that value by 2029. Rival Dream11, valued at $8 billion, has discontinued its fantasy cricket offerings, though its CEO, Harsh Jain, confirmed no layoffs, focusing instead on new products like Dream Money, a money management app. Other platforms like Gameskraft, Zupee, and PokerBaazi have also halted real-money games. A23 is the only company challenging the ban in the Karnataka High Court, with a hearing set for September 8, 2025. Industry bodies warn of ₹20,000 crore in lost tax revenue.
Challenges and Future Outlook
MPL’s pivot to global markets faces hurdles, as its India-centric model relied heavily on fantasy cricket. X posts reflect mixed sentiment, with 60% lamenting job losses, criticize the ban’s economic impact. Will MPL’s international shift succeed, or will the industry face further decline? With over 200,000 jobs at risk, India’s gaming sector stands at a crossroads, balancing consumer protection against economic innovation.
-By Manoj H
