Fantasy & Cricket Betting Apps – Recent Ban Updates (2025)
🔴 India’s Ongoing Crackdown on Online Betting Platforms
1️⃣ Widespread Ban on Betting & Gambling Apps
- The Indian government has been aggressively targeting illegal betting and gambling apps, especially those connected to cricket betting.
- Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) ordered telecom companies and ISPs to block over 120 betting and gambling websites & apps.
- Many of these apps were found to be operating from offshore servers (often in Dubai, Mauritius, and Cyprus) while targeting Indian users.
- Apps included: Parimatch, 1xBet, Betway, Dafabet, Fairplay, Lotus365, Bet365 (in restricted form), and several smaller cricket betting apps.
2️⃣ Reason Behind the Ban
- The government cited multiple concerns:
- Illegal money laundering through offshore betting apps.
- Addiction and financial ruin for youth engaging in online gambling.
- Match-fixing threats, particularly in cricket tournaments like the IPL, domestic leagues, and even fantasy matches.
- Lack of taxation and loss of government revenue, as most of these apps operate without paying Indian taxes.
- Enforcement Directorate (ED) has already started investigations into money trails linked to betting syndicates.
3️⃣ Impact on Fantasy Sports Apps
- While illegal betting apps have been banned, fantasy sports apps (like Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, FanCode, Gamezy) are in a grey zone.
- The Supreme Court of India has recognized fantasy sports as “games of skill” rather than gambling.
- However, some states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Assam have imposed partial or full bans on fantasy cricket apps, arguing that they encourage gambling.
- As a result, fantasy apps are still operational in most of India, but they face regulatory uncertainty.
4️⃣ Global Scenario – Other Countries Banning Cricket Betting Apps
- Sri Lanka: Recently banned over 60 online betting platforms, citing concerns over match-fixing links during domestic cricket tournaments.
- Pakistan: Has a long-standing ban on betting apps but continues to struggle with illegal offshore cricket betting websites.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): Maintains a strict ban on all gambling and cricket betting apps due to Shariah law restrictions.
- Australia & UK: Regulated environment—apps like Bet365 and Betfair are legal but heavily monitored. However, they are not accessible in India without VPNs.
5️⃣ Recent Enforcement Actions (August 2025)
- On August 27, 2025, Indian authorities confirmed:
- The blocking of 70+ new cricket betting websites that resurfaced after earlier bans.
- The shutdown of multiple Telegram groups and WhatsApp networks used for illegal betting.
- A warning issued to payment gateways (UPI, Paytm, Google Pay) to not process transactions linked to banned apps.
📊 Summary Table of Key Apps Banned / Restricted
| Category | Banned Apps | Status in India (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket Betting | Parimatch, 1xBet, Betway, Dafabet, Fairplay, Lotus365, Bet365 (restricted) | Banned under IT Act |
| Fantasy Sports | Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, Gamezy, FanCode | Allowed (legal in most states) but facing state-wise restrictions |
| Other Betting | 10Cric, MelBet, BetWinner, Fun88 | Banned |
| Messaging/Groups | Telegram/WhatsApp betting networks | Actively being shut down |
✅ Conclusion
- The Indian government has taken a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal cricket betting apps due to money laundering, addiction, and match-fixing risks.
- Fantasy sports apps are still allowed but face state-level restrictions and legal challenges.
- Offshore betting companies continue to rebrand and relaunch apps, leading to a cat-and-mouse game with regulators.