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India’s sudden crackdown on real-money online gaming is already claiming casualties, and Mobile Premier League (MPL) is one of the biggest names caught in the fallout. The esports and gaming operator is bracing for deep staff cuts, with reports suggesting that as much as 60% of its India workforce could soon be let go.
A Sudden End to a Booming Market
Just weeks ago, India’s online gaming sector was still thriving, with millions of players logging in daily and companies pouring investment into the space. That changed in August when the government pushed through a bill outlawing games that involve entry fees, deposits, or monetary stakes.
The new law, which has now cleared all the necessary approvals, effectively shuts the door on India’s multibillion-dollar iGaming industry. Its impact was felt almost immediately: Flutter Entertainment shuttered Junglee’s operations in the country, and MPL switched off its cash games. Today, players opening the MPL app are met with a blunt message that deposits and cash play are no longer available.
Hundreds of Jobs on the Line
For MPL, the fallout isn’t just about lost revenue — it’s about people. Internal communications have already prepared staff for a major downsizing. While the company hasn’t put an official number on the cuts, sources close to the situation suggest roughly 300 of its 500 Indian employees could be affected.
The reductions won’t be confined to one department either. Teams across marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal are all expected to be hit. For many employees, the news has come as a sudden and painful shock.
India Was MPL’s Core Market
The decision to shut down cash gaming in India is particularly devastating for MPL because of how heavily it relied on the country. India is believed to have contributed around half of the company’s overall revenue. Losing that market essentially means MPL has to rebuild its business model from scratch.
Still, the company is not walking away from gaming entirely. Over the past year, it has been eyeing expansion in other territories, especially in the United States. Those plans now look more important than ever as MPL tries to keep its brand alive outside of its home market.
Industry Pushback and Legal Battles
MPL is not the only operator scrambling to adjust. Several companies are already challenging the ban in court, arguing that it unfairly lumps together games of skill — like rummy and poker — with pure games of chance. India-based A23 has gone as far as filing a case in the High Court of Karnataka, calling the ban unconstitutional.
Industry groups have also warned that the move could do more harm than good. By pushing regulated operators out of the market, critics say the government risks driving players to underground websites, where there are no safeguards or consumer protections. Others point out that India is moving against the global trend, as countries from Europe to North America have chosen regulation over prohibition.
An Uncertain Future
What happens next for India’s gaming industry is hard to predict. On one hand, the government’s stance leaves little room for optimism in the short term. On the other, the backlash from operators, trade bodies, and players may eventually force policymakers to revisit the issue.
For now, the reality is stark. One of the country’s most successful gaming startups is being forced to scale back dramatically, and thousands of workers across the industry face an uncertain future. What was once one of India’s fastest-growing digital sectors has been brought to a standstill almost overnight.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
