# Fantasy sports in India

Fantasy sports came to India in the later half of the 2010s. The Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) serves as the primary self-regulatory industry body. As of January 2024, the sector is valued at approximately ₹45,000 crore with over 180 million active users.

## Overview

India has numerous fantasy mobile gaming applications that allow users to create virtual teams for various sports. The Google Play Store does not allow these apps on their platform for download, requiring users to download them directly from their websites. These platforms attract users through sports league sponsorships, celebrity endorsements, and advertising campaigns.

### Market Size

According to a 2022 NITI Aayog report, the industry is expected to:
* Attract ₹10,000 crore in foreign direct investment
* Reach a market value of ₹50,000 crore by 2025
* Expand to 200+ million users by 2025

## Legal Framework
### Supreme Court Ruling

On 8 August 2021, the Supreme Court of India officially declared fantasy sports legal, classifying them as games of skill rather than gambling.

### High Court Judgments

Several High Courts have ruled on fantasy sports:
* Rajasthan High Court (July 2021): Affirmed fantasy sports as games of skill based on the 276th Law Commission Report.
* Bombay High Court (April 2019): Recognized fantasy sports as a legitimate skill-based industry.
* Kerala High Court (February 2022): Determined fantasy sports as a game of skill under section 14(A) of the Kerala Gaming Act.

### State-wise Regulations

As of January 2024, states fall into three categories:
States Permitting Fantasy Sports
* Maharashtra
* Karnataka
* Rajasthan
* Punjab
* Haryana
* West Bengal
* Uttar Pradesh
States with Bans
* Telangana (Complete ban since 2017)
* Andhra Pradesh (Banned under Gaming Act)
* Odisha (Under Gaming Act restrictions)
* Assam (Under Gambling and Betting Act)
* Nagaland (Requires special license)
* Sikkim (Only with state license)
States with Pending Regulations
* Tamil Nadu (New policy under consideration)
* Kerala (Reviewing regulations)
* Gujarat (Draft policy in progress)

## Taxation Framework
### Recent Changes

As of October 2023, key tax reforms include:
* GST Rate: 28% on full contest entry amount
* TDS Requirements:
* Platform Taxes:

### Impact of Tax Changes

The recent tax changes have led to:
* Industry revenue reduction of 20-25%
* Decreased user participation
* Platform operational adjustments
* Market consolidation trends

## Major Platforms
### Market Leaders

| Platform | User Base (2023) | Key Features |
| Dream11 | 130+ million | Cricket, Football, NBA |
| MPL | 99+ million | Multi-game platform |
| My11Circle | 50+ million | Cricket focused |
| Gamezy | 30+ million | Multiple sports |
| Vision11 | 20+ million | Cricket, Football |

### Market Share Distribution

* Dream11: ~55% market share
* MPL: ~15% market share
* Others: ~30% combined

## Current Challenges
### Legal Issues

* State-wise regulatory compliance
* GST implementation disputes
* Age verification mechanisms
* Consumer protection measures
* Payment gateway restrictions

### Ongoing Cases

* Tamil Nadu's appeal against fantasy sports
* GST classification disputes
* State jurisdiction challenges
* Consumer protection petitions

## Advertising Guidelines

In November 2020, Information and broadcasting ministry of India's Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) created guidelines for 'fantasy gaming apps' doing business in India, such as: Fantasy Apps do not permit persons under 18 to play Every fantasy gaming app must showcase a disclaimer occupying 20% of the ad's space Ads should not promote online gaming as an income opportunity No advertisements should suggest that players are more successful than non-players
The disclaimer must state:
   "This game involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk"

## Criticism
### User Experiences

In 2019, a person claimed in an article published by Outlook that he lost ₹50,000 in just two games on Dream11, arguing that outcomes were based on chance rather than skill.

## Future Outlook
### Regulatory Trends

* Central regulation framework development
* Unified gaming laws consideration
* Enhanced consumer protection measures
* Standardized operational guidelines

### Industry Growth

* Expected market size: ₹50,000 crore by 2025
* User base projection: 200+ million by 2025
* Technology integration trends
* International market expansion