Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s largest online gaming platforms, is set to lay off nearly 60 per cent of its local workforce, impacting around 300 employees. The decision follows the Indian government’s ban on all real-money online games under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, signed into law on 22 August.
The legislation prohibits online games involving monetary stakes, irrespective of whether they are skill-based or chance-based. The sweeping ban has forced MPL and other gaming operators to suspend real-money offerings, marking one of the sharpest disruptions the sector has witnessed.
The layoffs will affect teams across marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. MPL’s competitor Dream11, valued at $8 billion, has also withdrawn its fantasy sports offerings, while other companies like My11Circle, WinZO, Zupee, and PokerBaazi have followed suit.
MPL, once valued at $2.3 billion and backed by Peak XV Partners, earned nearly $100 million in revenue from India last year. With the ban cutting off half of its earnings, the company is pivoting its strategy—focusing on free-to-play titles in Europe and paid games in the US and Brazil, while scaling down operations domestically.
The government cited concerns over addiction, financial distress, and psychological harm, particularly among younger and vulnerable players. For India’s booming online gaming industry, the sudden policy shift brings uncertainty, forcing companies to reimagine growth beyond the domestic market.
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