Dream11 Enters WinZO & MPL's Turf With Foray Into Casual Real Money Gaming

Months after redomiciling to India, real money gaming major Dream11 has expanded its offerings by entering a new turf – casual real money gaming. For this, the startup launched a new app ‘Dream Play’ in May this year.

Dream Play lets users play carrom matches and win cash prizes. The startup plans to add other games like pool and more to the app soon.

Even without a lot of promotion for the new app, the app has already been downloaded by over a lakh users on Google Play Store.

It is pertinent to note that Dream Play is available on the Google PlayStore in a light size, “Lite”. After installing the app, the app redirects users to an external link to download the app “outside Google Play Store”. Besides, users need to either create or login with their “Dream Sports” wallet to download and play the game.

Dream11 declined to respond to Inc42’s queries about the new launch.

With this, the company will compete with the likes of Mobile Premier League and WinZO.

Both these apps have been in the market for years now and claim to have millions of users. WinZO registered an operating revenue of INR 1,055,2 Cr in FY24, while its profit stood at INR 315 Cr as against INR 125 Cr in FY23.

Speaking with Inc42 in May, WinZO founder Paavan Nanda shared that around 100 users join the WinZO platform daily and the platform is able to retain as many as 50% of users in a month.

Meanwhile, besides Dream Play, Dream11 also launched another real money fantasy app, Dream Picks, last month.

Dream Play is similar to Dream11 and lets users make fantasy teams for smaller tournaments like the ongoing Ireland Domestic T20 league or USA T20 League. However, a key differentiator is that it allows users to pick a team of only four players as against a complete team of 11. The app has seen over 5 Lakh downloads till now.

A third app that Dream11 launched at the fag end of April was ‘CRIQ’. It offers real time predictions and match statistics. “Looking for the ultimate cricket companion? Your search ends here! Criq is your one-stop app designed specifically for cricket enthusiasts who want more than just live scores,” the app’s description reads.

GST Troubles Of Real Money Gaming Industry

Dream11’s bid to diversify its offerings come at a time when the real money gaming sector in India continues to reel under GST troubles. As per a report released by Deloitte India and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports in February 2025, the industry is expected to see a degrowth of about 10% in its top line in FY25.

“The sector is bracing for impact as a result of the change in GST laws. Not only is the sector expected to de-grow by 10% in FY25, but the industry is also expected to post a reduced CAGR of 7% for FY24 to FY29, compared to the earlier forecasted CAGR of 30% for FY22 to FY27. This degrowth is driven by a whopping 50% hit on the fantasy sports companies’ margins as a result of companies absorbing the impact of increased GST,” the report read.

Notably, Dream11 is yet to file its financial numbers for FY24 and FY25.

For context, a 28% GST levy on online gaming came into effect on October 1, 2023. Under this, a 28% tax is levied on the total value of bets for online games, irrespective of whether they are games of skill or chance. Previously, a lower 18% GST was levied, specifically on the platform fee for skill-based games.

Meanwhile, shortly after the new GST regime came into effect, the GST department started sending GST notices to gaming companies. Dream11 received a notice for a whopping INR 28,000 Cr. Online gaming companies were issued 71 show-cause notices for alleged evasion of GST amounting to INR 1.12 Lakh Cr.

In January 2025, the Supreme Court put a temporary halt on the GST proceedings against 49 real money gaming companies, staying retrospective demand notices.

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