Dream11 expands to US, UK, and more countries amid India ban

Dream11, India’s leading fantasy sports platform, has expanded its global footprint by launching operations in 11 new countries, including major markets like the United States and the United Kingdom.

This international move follows a challenging year for the company after India’s government imposed a nationwide ban on all real-money gaming apps earlier in 2025. The new gaming law, introduced in August under the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025,” banned any game involving real-money transactions. This decision forced Dream11 to halt its paid contests across India, a segment that had been the company’s main source of income.

Co-founder Harsh Jain explained the impact clearly: “95 percent of the company’s revenues and 100 percent of its profits were coming from the earlier model of cash-based contests, which are prohibited under the new law.” The ban left Dream11 with little choice but to completely rethink its business model and strategy.

Now, Dream11 is relaunching globally using a free-to-play format in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, the UAE, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. In these markets, the platform operates without real-money entry fees, focusing instead on engagement and community participation. Rather than relying on user payments, Dream11 is generating revenue through advertising and partnerships with major brands.

Vikrant Mudaliar, who leads marketing for Dream11’s parent company Dream Sports, emphasized how the shift opens new doors for collaboration. “Over the years, many brands have shown strong interest in partnering with Dream11, and now, after our pivot to free-to-play fantasy sports, we have begun onboarding them selectively,” he said. The company’s new focus aligns with building a sustainable, ad-supported ecosystem that caters to fans without the risks associated with real-money gaming.

Harsh Jain also shared his excitement about Dream11’s international ambitions: “We’ve seen incredible passion among sports fans across borders. Our aim is to offer a safe, skill-based, and fun platform for fans everywhere.” With over 200 million registered users and a reputation for being one of the most recognized fantasy sports brands globally, Dream11 sees its global rollout as a crucial step toward becoming a dominant player in international markets.

Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11 has grown into one of India’s biggest tech success stories. The company was valued at $8 billion after raising $840 million in 2021, and its parent firm, Dream Sports, also owns other ventures like FanCode, DreamSetGo, and Dream Money. While the Indian government’s strict regulations disrupted its core business, Dream11’s rapid pivot to a global free-to-play model reflects its resilience and adaptability.

The expansion into 11 new countries marks a turning point for Dream11. By focusing on ad-driven fantasy sports and distancing itself from real-money gaming, the company aims to safeguard its future while introducing its brand of fantasy sports to a wider global audience.