Fantasy Leagues and the IPL: Are They Legal in India?

By Kanoonpedia – Sports Law Commentator

“Is Playing Fantasy Cricket Legal in India?” Let’s Break It Down.

Every IPL season, you see it everywhere—Dream11 teams being shared in WhatsApp groups, players being analyzed like stocks, and people keeping track of “virtual points” with more passion than the actual match.

But then comes the big question…

“Wait, is this even legal?”
“What if my state doesn’t allow it?”
“Is this just glorified betting?”

You’re not alone. The legal status of fantasy leagues in India, especially during the IPL, is one of the most misunderstood topics. Let’s set the record straight—without the jargon, with real examples, and with region-specific clarity.

What Are Fantasy Leagues, Really?

Fantasy leagues like Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, and others allow users to create virtual teams of real players. Based on these players’ real-life performance, the fantasy team scores points. Users either play free or enter paid contests for cash rewards.

So where’s the confusion? It’s all about whether this is a game of skill or a game of chance.

That’s where the law steps in.

The Legal Foundation: Skill vs Chance

Under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, most forms of gambling are banned. But here’s the twist:

Games of skill are NOT considered gambling under Indian law.

In other words, if winning a game depends more on your skill than luck, it is legal—even if there’s money involved.

This was clarified in multiple landmark rulings.

1. State of Bombay v. R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala (AIR 1957 SC 699)

Key Takeaway:

This case laid down the foundation of differentiating between games of skill and chance.

Held:
Games which involve a substantial degree of skill are not gambling, even if elements of chance are present.

Relevance:

• If skill preponderates over chance, the activity is not gambling.
• Skill can be physical or intellectual.

2. Dr. K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1996) 2 SCC 226

Key Takeaway:

Horse racing was held to be a game of skill.

Held:
Horse racing is not gambling because it involves forecasting, judgment, and training—thereby a preponderance of skill.

Impact:

• Reinforced that mere involvement of chance does not automatically qualify an activity as gambling.

3. Varun Gumber v. Union Territory of Chandigarh & Ors. (2017 SCC OnLine P&H 5372)

(Fantasy Sports Case)

Key Takeaway:

Fantasy sports (e.g., Dream11) involve skillful team selection, and thus were held as games of skill.

Held:
Participation requires analytical thinking, player performance judgment, and strategic planning.

Result:

Fantasy gaming platforms got legal protection from gambling laws.

4. K. Ramesh v. State of Karnataka (2020 SCC OnLine Kar 3024)

(Online Rummy)

Key Takeaway:

Online Rummy was held as a game of skill, following previous Supreme Court judgments.

Held:
Playing Rummy — whether offline or online — doesn’t constitute gambling unless there is evidence of cheating or wagering with bots.

5. Junglee Games India Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Tamil Nadu (2021)

(Madras High Court – Online Gaming Ban)

Key Takeaway:

Struck down the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, which banned all games for stakes.

Held:
Even if money is involved, if skill dominates, banning it is unconstitutional.

Summary: Game of Skill vs Game of Chance

Dream11 and the Supreme Court Stamp

The biggest turning point came in 2021, when the Supreme Court of India upheld that Dream11 is a “game of skill.”

The court said:
“Success in Dream11 fantasy sports essentially arises out of a user’s exercise of skill.”

Earlier, in 2019 and 2020, the Punjab & Haryana High Court and Bombay High Court had ruled the same. So did the Rajasthan High Court.

This gave fantasy platforms a legal shield—at least at the national level.

But Here’s Where It Gets Tricky: State-Specific Laws

India is a federal country, and states can frame their own gambling laws. That means something legal in Maharashtra might be illegal in Tamil Nadu.

Here’s a quick overview:

So yes—fantasy gaming is legal in many states, but in others, the status is murky or outright banned.

This matters especially during IPL, when fantasy apps are most active and heavily advertised.

Is It Just Gambling in Disguise?

Let’s face it, a lot of people “play” fantasy leagues just to win money. So the question naturally arises—is it being misused?

Here’s how it’s different from betting:

So while the intention may look similar (win money based on match outcome), the mechanism is legally distinct.

Money Laundering & Misuse: Are the Concerns Valid?

Definitely. Fantasy apps, like any money-handling platform, are at risk of:

• Underage participation
• Tax evasion
• Unverified transactions
• Addiction concerns

This is why India is slowly moving towards self-regulation and fintech oversight.

For instance:

• Most fantasy platforms now require PAN verification, KYC checks, and 18+ age confirmation
• The government proposed setting up a regulatory body for online gaming, under the IT Ministry
• Some platforms are now voluntarily following responsible gaming guidelines

But loopholes still exist. And enforcement varies from state to state. but at the same time since we can understand if such huge amount of money is involved there could be lots of malpractices might being performed, it also leave us with a a question Is IPL Fixed ?

The Global Context: Are Fantasy Leagues Legal Elsewhere?

Let’s step outside India for a second.

• United States: Fantasy sports are legal in most states, and platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings dominate the market.
• UK: Heavily regulated under the Gambling Commission.
• Australia: Skill-based fantasy is legal, but betting-style fantasy is not.
• China: All forms of fantasy and online gambling are banned.

So India is somewhere in the middle—open to innovation but grappling with regulation.

Kanoonpedia’s Take

“Fantasy gaming is here to stay—but legal clarity and standardization are overdue. What we need is not more bans, but more robust regulation. Let’s move from courtrooms to clear codes.”

FAQs – Fantasy Leagues in India

Q1. Is Dream11 legal in India?
Yes, Dream11 is legal in most Indian states and has been upheld by the Supreme Court as a skill-based game.

Q2. Can I play fantasy cricket in Tamil Nadu or Telangana?
No, currently those states have banned fantasy platforms involving real-money contests.

Q3. Is playing fantasy cricket the same as betting?
Legally no. Courts recognize fantasy sports as games of skill, unlike betting which is based on chance.

Q4. Do I have to pay tax on fantasy winnings?
Yes. As of FY 2023-24, TDS is deducted at 30% on winnings above ₹10,000.

Q5. Can minors participate in fantasy gaming?
No. All major platforms restrict access to users 18 years or older and require age verification.

It’s Time to Regulate, Not Just Litigate

As IPL continues to grow, so will fantasy gaming. The legal battles have given us clarity—but not consistency. What we need now is:

• A central regulatory framework
• State-level harmony
• Clear player protection norms

Fantasy leagues can be fun, skilful, and profitable—but only if they’re played within the guardrails of good law and better enforcement.

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