Fantasy sports fans in specific Indian regions face a frustrating reality. Their location blocks access to major gaming platforms. If you live in Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, or Sikkim, Dream11 prohibits paid contests as of December 24, 2025.
Local governments enforce strict gambling statutes in these areas. These laws define money-based fantasy gaming as a game of chance. Because of this, the platform geo-blocks these zones to follow local laws. The Supreme Court of India generally views fantasy sports as a legitimate business.
However, state legislatures possess the authority to override that view locally. Users attempting to log in will see a restriction message. The system makes adding cash or joining paid leagues impossible. Digging into the details of Dream11 Banned states explains why your screen shows an error while others play.
| Dream11 Banned States |
|---|
| Assam |
| Odisha |
| Telangana |
| Andhra Pradesh |
| Nagaland |
| Sikkim |
Key Takeaways:
- Restricted Zones: Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim used to prohibit paid fantasy gaming, but now it extends to all states.
- Legal Basis: These states label pay-to-play formats as gambling. This differs from the central “game of skill” view.
- Detection Methods: Apps use GPS data, IP addresses, and SIM card details to enforce these bans.
- Financial Risk: Bypassing blocks leads to account suspension and loss of funds.
- 2025 Status: These specific prohibitions stay active and enforceable despite legal talks.
Skill Against Chance:
The friction behind these bans comes from a thin line between skill and chance. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 governs most states and excludes games of skill. However, the Indian Constitution gives states the power to write their own laws on “Betting and Gambling” alone. This rule allows assemblies to draft laws that restrict modern fantasy sports.
The Supreme Court previously ruled that fantasy teams require knowledge and attention. That decision makes it a game of skill. However, certain state governments disagree with that idea. They argue that the money involved makes the activity look like gambling. So, the list of Dream11 Banned states exists because local authorities passed specific changes. Laws in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh explicitly make online gaming for money a crime.
These laws target both operators and participants. The legal framework in 2025 stays messy across the country. Crossing a state border changes your digital rights immediately. A user in Maharashtra enjoys full access. Meanwhile, a user in Telangana faces an impenetrable digital wall. This gap confuses many people. Still, the platform must follow the law to keep its license.
Analysing the Specific State Prohibitions:
Understanding these bans requires looking at the specific statutes. Telangana led the way by banning all online gaming for stakes. The legislature removed the line between skill and chance entirely. The state government claimed that online gaming destroys financial stability. Andhra Pradesh followed that lead by saying they need to protect the youth.
Odisha and Assam rely on older laws that function strictly. The law remains unclear on the “skill” exception in these regions. Platforms take a careful approach to avoid court cases. They simply shut down cash contests to remove risk. Nagaland and Sikkim have their own licensing setups. They restrict operators who lack a specific state license. Most national platforms block these states rather than chase local licenses.
The fact that Dream11 Banned states still exist in late 2025 shows how tough local laws are. These states hold their ground even as the digital economy grows. They put social welfare above the money they could get from taxes. This creates a situation where the centre collects GST, but certain residents cannot play.
How does the App Know Where You Are?
The application figures out your location with high precision. The platform uses a multi-layered check system. It goes way beyond simple GPS coordinates. The app asks your device’s GPS for its latitude and longitude when you open it, but the checks run deeper than just satellite data.
The software looks at your IP address for restricted zone routing. Modern updates also ask for SIM card data. This confirms your telecom circle. Your app might block access if your number belongs to a banned state. This tight “geofencing” keeps the company on the right side of state laws.
Developers constantly fix holes to stop location spoofing. Security tools in 2025 catch mock location settings immediately. The app refuses to work if it finds spoofing software. This check protects the company from legal trouble. Letting people play from Dream11 Banned states could lead to criminal charges for directors.
The 28% GST Reality and Market Shifts
The gaming world changed when the GST Council added a 28% tax. The government locked this rule in late 2023. This flipped the market structure by 2025. The move made the industry look more official to the federal government because of the taxes. However, it did not cancel out state-level bans. The centre taxes the activity, but states still forbid it.
This heavy tax cut down margins for everyone. Companies now have less money to fight legal battles in states. Instead, they focus on making money in permitted regions. The cost of playing has gone up for players in legal states. For players in banned states, the situation stays the same: total exclusion.
The tension between taxation and prohibition creates a complex mess. Platforms work in two different worlds. They pay the national treasury while avoiding specific territories. This split defines the Indian gaming sector in 2025.
The Risks of VPNs and Workarounds
Frustrated users often look for technical shortcuts. They use VPNs or GPS spoofing apps to get around blocks. But using a VPN carries a massive risk. The terms of service strictly forbid hiding your location. Fraud detection tools find IP addresses used by VPN companies easily.
The consequences hit hard if the system catches your account. The platform will freeze your wallet right away. You lose access to your money and winnings. Also, you must give a PAN card for verification. The platform can ban your identity forever. This means you can never use your PAN card on the app again.
Trying to play from a prohibited state breaks local law. Authorities rarely go after individuals, but the legal risk is there. The rush of a contest does not outweigh the danger of losing your money. Attempting to play from Dream11 Banned states through illegal ways is risky.
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025:
Fantasy sports fans across India now face a new reality. The federal government has blocked access to almost all real-money platforms nationwide. If you live in any part of the country, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025 prohibits you from joining paid contests as of December 24, 2025.
Parliament passed this strict law to stop financial ruin and addiction. The Act defines money-based gaming as a prohibited activity regardless of skill level. Because of this, Dream11 has shut down its cash leagues to follow the new rules.
While the Supreme Court previously protected skill-based play, this new federal law overrides those older rulings. Users attempting to log in now see a restriction notice. The system blocks you from adding cash or entering any prize-pool leagues.
The New Legal Divide:
The friction behind this ban comes from a shift in how India views digital stakes. PROGA 2025 ignores the old line between skill and chance. It simply bans any game where a player pays a fee to win a prize.
This move effectively ends the era of unregulated real-money wagering. It forces firms like Dream11 to change their entire business models. Even so, lawyers continue to challenge the law in court. They argue that the ban violates the right to trade. Authorities now have the power to block any app that breaks these rules. They can also fine operators up to ₹1 crore.
Final Take:
The fantasy sports map in India stays split between total prohibition and the rise of e-sports. If you live anywhere in India today, federal law bars you from paid contests. Platforms enforce this without any exceptions to avoid jail time for their directors.
These restrictions show the power of the new Union Gaming Bill. Most of the country must now watch from the sidelines or join free practice games. Residents of the previously labelled Dream11 Banned states no longer stand alone, as the restriction now covers the entire nation.
Does this ban protect people, or does it take away their digital rights?
Check for updates on the Supreme Court challenges frequently. Amendments or stays can happen fast. Share this article with your gaming friends if it helped you. Make sure they know the risks before they attempt to use any offshore sites. Stay informed, play responsibly, and respect digital boundaries.
What do you think about these new federal laws? Should the central government allow skill-based contests? Leave a comment below!
