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India’s largest fantasy sports platform, Dream11, has announced a major international expansion through the launch of its free-to-play fantasy sports game product in 11 new countries. This move comes after the sweeping ban on real-money gaming in India that had made it abandon its core paid contest model and look for new growth avenues abroad. Among the new markets are the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, the UAE, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Introduction: Stepping into the New Reality
Recently, Dream11 has built its brand and business in India with millions of users and major partnerships with several cricket leagues. All this changed in August 2025 when the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act called for an outright ban of cash prize games, including fantasy sports, rummy, and poker. Notably, esports were excluded from such a ban as a way to develop grassroots gaming.
That legislation wiped out about 95% of Dream11’s revenue, prompting a rapid pivot. Instead of pay-to-play contests, Dream11 offers a free-to-play model wherein users compete for non-monetary rewards. The revenue streams have now been diversified into advertisement, sponsorships, and brand partnerships. This was required to make the business competitive under the new laws, said Dream11 co-founder and chief executive Harsh Jain.
Market-Specific Customization
International expansion for Dream11 is not a case of ‘copy-paste’ of its existing model. The platform caters to local sporting tastes and cultures. In Australia, for instance, fantasy competitions will include rugby league and the Australian Football League to reflect the sporting life of the country. Meanwhile, the US and UK versions will have fantasy contests similar to popular local tournaments with prizes via brand sponsorships rather than cash.
This strategic adaptation shows an attempt by Dream11 to deeply resonate with the fans in diverse regions by ensuring engagement through relevant competitions, all while being compliant with the differing regulatory frameworks.
Innovative Features and Brand Partnerships
One of the more exciting new features on offer will be a “Flex” feature, which will allow users to create their own fantasy leagues, choosing format, scoring system, and rules. This development is to enhance user activity for those interested in social, skill-based gaming rather than cash rewards.
Further, the transition to a free-to-play structure has unlocked new channels of advertising and brand partnerships. According to Dream11’s Chief Marketing Officer, Vikrant Mudaliar, brands such as Swiggy, Astrotalk, and Tata Neu have started coming on board for sponsored leagues and ad campaigns. This model allows much more flexibility in collaborations, making Dream11 an even more commercial entity in the global advertising market.
Regulatory Context and Future Prospects
This expansion comes at a time when India’s regulatory environment has put serious constraints on online real-money games. Dream11 plans to establish a presence in the UK, US, and Australia, where the regulations around fantasy sports are less rigid, in a bid to further diversify its revenue streams. For example, Australia classifies fantasy sports as a form of sport wagering and not casino-style gaming; thus, operators like Dream11 can operate under corporate bookmaker licenses and still run free-to-play contests. Such legal clarity and market maturity provide some stability and opportunities for growth to this reimagined business model.
From Unicorn to Global Player
Dream11 was India’s first fantasy sports unicorn, with an $8 billion valuation in 2021 with over 250 million registered users and 10 million daily active participants before the regulatory storm swept across. A ban in 2025 brought all paid contests to a grinding halt and marked an abrupt end to Dream11’s sponsorship of India’s national cricket team. Yet, this international launch certainly speaks to the resilience of Dream11 and its willingness to adapt. The ambition of the platform seems relentless in blending technology with sports passion. Moving forward, engaging people from across the world in skill-based contests without real-money prizes will help position it as a global leader in the fantasy sports world. Broader ambitions also include innovations like the Flex feature, which may revolutionize how fans are able to socially interact and compete. The journey from a dominant domestic operator to a global fantasy sports platform is now underway, with Dream11’s identity and business model being reshaped in a more connected sports and gaming universe.
Source: World Casino News
