Are fantasy sports legal in India?
                     Are fantasy sports 
legal in India?
INTRODUCTION
The Indian fantasy sports industry has gone through a massive 
growth curve over the past decade. India has emerged as the 
largest fantasy sports market in the world, with over 15 crore 
users and 200+ Indian operator companies. 
Low data costs and increasing smartphone penetration have 
played an essential role in pushing the accessibility of fantasy 
sports.
Source: www.dream11.com
LEGALITY OF FANTASY SPORT
Some users doubt the legality of playing fantasy cricket in India. 
Questions like whether fantasy cricket is legal in India or if the 
user indulges in something illegal can cross a user's mind.
Low data costs and increasing smartphone penetration have 
played an essential role in pushing the accessibility of fantasy 
sports.
Source: www.dream11.com
WHAT IS SKILL BASED GAME?
Before we dig deeper into the fact-finding journey whether or not 
fantasy sports is legal in India, it is essential to understand what’s 
a skill-based game. 
All kinds of games that require an understanding of the game, 
analysis, thinking, and talent to win the game can be termed as 
skill-based games.
Source: www.dream11.com
LEGAL ACTIVITY
As per Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution, a game of skill 
where players must use their expertise, talent, knowledge, and 
strategies to analyse, think, and develop techniques to win is a 
legal activity.
Source: www.dream11.com
EXPERTISE & KNOWLEDGE
Winning is possible through judgement and analysis, and not just 
luck. As a result, fantasy cricket comes under the ambit of a game 
of skill where players need to use their expertise and knowledge 
of sports to create fantasy teams.
Source: www.dream11.com
THE PUBLIC GAMBLING ACT
The legitimacy of a Fantasy Sports app in India ultimately comes 
down to whether the game can qualify as a ‘game of skill’ or 
‘game of chance’. Games that require a significant amount of 
mathematical ability (more than 50 percent) are considered a 
“game of skill” and are legal in India by state gambling rules.
Source: blog.vinfotech.com
DREAM 11 GAME
In February 2020, the Rajasthan High Court mentioned that 
Dream11 is a game of skill and does not involve offences of 
betting and gambling while dismissing the public interest litigation 
(PIL) against it. A challenge to this verdict was dismissed by the 
Supreme Court of India as well.
Source: www.dream11.com
SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCEMENT
In August 2021, the Supreme Court said that fantasy sports have 
considerable skill and judgement and is, therefore, legal. The 
success of fantasy games depends on the user's knowledge, 
attention, and execution. As a result, success in fantasy cricket is 
not dependent on probability.
Source: www.dream11.com
THANK YOU