Last updated: December
Quick answer
Dream11 is legal to play across most of India. Paid contests are typically restricted in a handful of states due to local gaming laws: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, and Telangana. Free-to-play contests usually remain accessible everywhere. Policies and laws change, so always confirm on the official Dream11 Help Centre before you play or deposit.
Understanding what banned, restricted, and allowed actually mean
The vocabulary around gaming law is messy, and it matters. In everyday conversation you’ll hear “banned” used for anything that fails to load on the app. In law and platform policy, there’s nuance:
- Banned: A state law explicitly prohibits certain online games played for stakes. Platforms may block paid contests for users physically located in those states to comply.
- Restricted: A platform’s operational policy limits paid contests in specific jurisdictions because of licensing requirements or ambiguity in state statutes and older gambling laws. That’s why you’ll sometimes see free contests available while cash contests are blocked.
- Allowed: Paid contests are permitted under the game-of-skill framework, supported by court decisions that have consistently recognized fantasy sports as skill-based when structured with player selection, budget constraints, and statistical scoring rather than pure chance.
Dream11 sits squarely in the “fantasy sports” category. Courts across multiple jurisdictions have treated fantasy sports as games of skill, not gambling. But gambling is regulated at the state level. Where state law is unclear or directly prohibits online money gaming, platforms choose compliance over risk, and users feel that as an in-app block.
State-wise list: Dream11 restricted and allowed states
The table below summarizes the typical status of Dream11’s real-money contests by state and union territory. It is a snapshot to help you orient yourself quickly; always verify the latest position on Dream11’s Help Centre. “Paid contests” refers to contests requiring entry fees and awarding real-money prizes. “Free contests” generally remain accessible even in restricted states, though features can vary.
State-wise status for Dream11 cash contests
| State or UT | Allowed for paid contests? | Free contests | Notes | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Not allowed | Usually allowed | State law prohibits online games for stakes; Dream11 blocks cash contests for users located here. | December |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Allowed | Allowed | No special restrictions commonly noted by Dream11. | December |
| Assam | Not allowed | Usually allowed | Legacy gambling laws define skill/chance broadly; platforms restrict as a compliance safeguard. | December |
| Bihar | Allowed | Allowed | Operates under skill-game jurisprudence. | December |
| Chhattisgarh | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Goa | Allowed | Allowed | Casino laws are separate; fantasy sports treated as skill games. | December |
| Gujarat | Allowed | Allowed | Some local laws regulate gaming, but fantasy sports platforms typically operate. | December |
| Haryana | Allowed | Allowed | Multiple courts nationwide have recognized fantasy sports as skill. | December |
| Himachal Pradesh | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Jharkhand | Allowed | Allowed | Operates under skill-game jurisprudence. | December |
| Karnataka | Allowed | Allowed | After a period of uncertainty, fantasy sports operate; blanket bans on online games were struck down. | December |
| Kerala | Allowed | Allowed | Skill gaming permissible; platform operates. | December |
| Madhya Pradesh | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Maharashtra | Allowed | Allowed | Fantasy sports treated as skill in practice. | December |
| Manipur | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Meghalaya | Allowed | Allowed | State licensing discussions relate to other games; fantasy platforms operate. | December |
| Mizoram | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Nagaland | Not allowed | Usually allowed | State has a licensing regime for online skill games; large national platforms often restrict cash contests. | December |
| Odisha | Not allowed | Usually allowed | State law treats skill/chance broadly; platforms restrict. | December |
| Punjab | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Rajasthan | Allowed | Allowed | A leading High Court has recognized fantasy sports as skill in disputes involving Dream11. | December |
| Sikkim | Not allowed | Usually allowed | State licensing rules focus on intrastate operations; national platforms generally restrict paid contests. | December |
| Tamil Nadu | Allowed | Allowed | After legal swings, fantasy sports operate; bans targeting chance-based games do not typically apply to fantasy skill contests. | December |
| Telangana | Not allowed | Usually allowed | State law prohibits online games for stakes; platforms block cash contests. | December |
| Tripura | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Uttar Pradesh | Allowed | Allowed | Large market; fantasy sports operate. | December |
| Uttarakhand | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| West Bengal | Allowed | Allowed | Restrictions in the state have targeted certain card games; fantasy sports platforms operate. | December |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | No platform-level restriction publicly indicated. | December |
| Chandigarh (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Delhi NCT (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Major market; platforms operate. | December |
| Jammu & Kashmir (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Ladakh (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Lakshadweep (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
| Puducherry (UT) | Allowed | Allowed | Platforms operate. | December |
State-by-state nuance where Dream11 is restricted for cash contests
Assam
Assam’s older gambling legislation uses formulations that don’t clearly carve out modern skill-based fantasy sports played online for entry fees. Even though skill-game jurisprudence is strong at the national level, large fantasy operators have historically opted for caution here. That’s why Dream11 restricts paid contests for users physically located in Assam. Free contests, team building, and match tracking typically remain accessible, but features can be trimmed.
Odisha
Odisha’s gaming statute is similarly wide in scope and hasn’t been modernized to the realities of online skill gaming. Dream11’s paid contests remain blocked for users in the state. This is a compliance position rather than a comment on whether a particular fantasy format is skill-based. As a player, that distinction doesn’t change your experience: you can’t enter paid contests while in Odisha.
Telangana
Telangana amended its law to prohibit online games for stakes. The language sweeps in a broad category of online money games, which is why major fantasy platforms, including Dream11, restrict cash contests for users located in Telangana. The position can shift only with legislative change or clear judicial guidance specifically addressing fantasy sports under this law.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh made similar amendments prohibiting online games for stakes. Like Telangana, this led platforms to restrict paid contests for users located in the state. Even if your Dream11 account was created elsewhere, geolocation governs contest entry. If you’re in Andhra Pradesh, the app will show the real-money block.
Nagaland
Nagaland actually recognizes skill games but set up a licensing framework for operators offering such games within the state. Because those licenses are tailored to intrastate operations and create practical compliance burdens for national platforms, Dream11 restricts paid contests for users located in Nagaland. It’s a policy choice to avoid regulatory conflict, not an indictment of fantasy sports as gambling.
Sikkim
Sikkim pioneered online gaming regulation with a licensing regime. Much like Nagaland, its framework contemplates specific intrastate licenses and technical controls. National platforms generally avoid operating paid contests within that regime unless separately licensed. Dream11 therefore restricts cash contests in Sikkim while leaving free-to-play experiences available.
Why some states are restricted even when courts say fantasy sports are skill
If you’ve ever spent an evening sweating the last two overs of a tight IPL match because you captained a death-overs specialist, you already understand why fantasy sports lean heavily on skill. You study venues, pitch history, batting orders, player workloads, match-ups, weather, and toss bias. You allocate a tight budget across batting anchors, high-impact all-rounders, and wicket-taking pacers. You hedge a risky captain pick with safe vice-captaincy choices. Chance still plays its part—an inside edge onto the stumps or a rain interruption—but over time, skill dominates.
Indian courts have recognized this repeatedly. Key rulings have held that fantasy sports based on real-world performances with pre-match team selection are games of skill. Several High Courts have upheld the legality of Dream11’s format, and the Supreme Court has declined to interfere with those findings in multiple proceedings. Skill gaming is not gambling under long-standing constitutional jurisprudence that distinguishes games of skill from games of chance.
So why do these restrictions continue? Three reasons:
- State-level laws still govern gambling. Some states drafted prohibitions that sweep broadly across online games played for stakes. Unless those laws are amended or courts carve out fantasy sports, platforms choose caution.
- Licensing regimes in a few states expect operators to be licensed specifically to offer online games within the state’s boundaries. National platforms often restrict access instead of running parallel, state-specific systems.
- Platform risk management. Even where courts have recognized fantasy sports as skill, ongoing enforcement risk or unclear departmental interpretations can lead a platform to continue geoblocking paid contests until the environment is stable.
How Dream11 enforces location rules
Dream11, like all serious real-money gaming platforms in India, uses multiple signals to respect state laws:
- GPS and mobile location services: Your phone’s GPS provides the most accurate location fix.
- Network signals and IP: Cellular network triangulation and IP address add redundancy, especially indoors or when GPS is weak.
- Device checks: The app also runs integrity checks for rooted/jailbroken devices or spoofing tools that can falsify location.
These layers aren’t there to frustrate users; they exist because compliance is existential for a regulated business. If the app says “Dream11 not allowed in your state” or “Dream11 restricted states,” it’s the location layer doing its job. Turnarounds like VPNs or mock location apps don’t just breach terms—they put your account and winnings at risk. A legitimate operator would rather lose a contest entry than expose users to legal or financial jeopardy.
Practical scenarios every fantasy player runs into
Traveling to a restricted state mid-series
Fantasy is a habit: a standing alarm, a ritual of checking weather, last-minute XIs, and late swaps. Then a work trip to Hyderabad pops up. Here’s what typically happens:
- You can open the app, check scores, and explore free-to-play sections.
- You cannot join paid contests while physically located in a restricted state like Telangana or Andhra Pradesh.
- If you had already joined a paid contest before entering the restricted state, Dream11 usually lets your existing entry stand. You can follow live scoring, but features that require entering new paid contests remain blocked until you return to an allowed location.
Relocating to a restricted state
Moving to Guwahati or Bhubaneswar for a new job changes your Dream11 experience. Because geolocation gates entry to paid contests, you won’t be able to join cash contests while located there. Your account remains yours. Wallet balances, winnings history, and KYC stay intact. You can generally withdraw your funds, subject to standard KYC and banking checks, but you can’t add cash or enter paid contests from that location.
KYC while in a restricted state
KYC requirements on Dream11 are about identity and age verification. In a restricted state, you can still complete or update KYC, provided your documents meet platform criteria. However, adding cash or joining paid contests won’t be possible until you are physically present in an allowed state.
Withdrawing winnings from a restricted state
Withdrawals are usually permitted regardless of location, as they are not “participation” in paid contests. The platform’s Help Centre is the final word, but the general policy is that you should be able to withdraw funds that are legitimately yours once KYC and bank verification are complete.
Why Tamil Nadu and Karnataka keep getting mentioned
These are two of India’s largest and most passionate sports markets. Both saw “blanket” legal moves against online games for stakes, followed by court challenges. High Courts struck down those broad bans for being unconstitutional. States then reworked their approach to target online games of chance. Fantasy sports companies continued operations, relying on jurisprudence that classifies fantasy contests as skill-based when designed like Dream11’s format. That’s why your Dream11 contests continue to run in Chennai and Bengaluru.
Kerala, West Bengal, and the evergreen confusion
Kerala once announced restrictions on online rummy for stakes, then faced legal scrutiny. West Bengal’s statute took aim at certain card games. These conversations often spill into the fantasy sports space online, confusing players. But fantasy contests are structurally different and have been upheld as skill games. Dream11 operates in both states.
Dream11 legality in India: the bigger legal canvas
The law here rests on a constitutional bedrock. India draws a clear line between games of chance (gambling) and games of skill. The Supreme Court’s older decisions, like RMD Chamarbaugwala and K.R. Lakshmanan, established the principle that skill games are not gambling. Modern rulings applied that principle to fantasy sports, analyzing how pre-match team selection, budget caps, and point systems demand considerable skill.
The platform’s fantasy cricket contests, for example, don’t ask you to guess a random outcome. They make you analyze:
- Form and role clarity: Openers who play out the powerplay versus finishers who pace a chase.
- Venue data: Wankhede’s true bounce favoring stroke-makers versus Chepauk’s slow turn rewarding high-accuracy spinners.
- Match-ups: A left-arm orthodox bowler versus a right-handed top order heavy on sweepers; leg-spinners versus left-handed aggregators.
- Toss bias: Dew factor making defending totals tough under lights in certain venues.
- Player workload: Back-to-back travel or a niggle that pushes an all-rounder purely into batting duty.
- Game script: Likely middle-over choke or high-scoring death overs; adjusting captain/vice-captain to the script.
Over a season, players who master these variables outperform. That’s the legal essence of “predominance of skill” in action.
Regulatory evolution at the Centre
Alongside state laws, central rules for online gaming have evolved, with the government introducing a framework for online real-money games, self-regulatory organizations (SROs), and due diligence obligations for platforms. The thrust is to separate permissible online real-money games from prohibited ones, impose KYC and grievance redressal standards, and curb harm. Dream11’s public posture has been aligned with this approach: transparency, compliance, and a clear differentiation between skill-based fantasy sports and chance-based games.
None of this overrides state power. A state ban still bites inside its borders. But a harmonized central framework helps clarify what qualifies as a permissible online skill game, reduces interpretive gaps, and gives platforms clearer guardrails.
Taxes and responsible play
A quick nod to realities every experienced fantasy player knows well:
- There is taxation on real-money gaming winnings above prescribed thresholds. Platforms apply TDS as required and issue statements you can download. Consult a tax professional for filing.
- Bank withdrawals require KYC and a verified bank account in your name.
- Responsible play is not a slogan. Set budgets, avoid chasing losses, and take cooling-off breaks when contests start feeling like impulse bets rather than informed selections. Platforms provide tools for limits and self-exclusion; use them.
The fantasy player’s lens on legality
From a player’s standpoint, the legal map of India essentially splits your season into two categories:
- The everyday routine: You’re in Mumbai, Jaipur, Delhi, or Kochi. You study the pitch, pick your captain wisely, enter paid contests, and ride the arcs of form. Everything functions as expected.
- The restricted interludes: You visit Hyderabad for a cousin’s wedding or stop over in Guwahati. The app shows “restricted.” You can follow matches, join free contests, and withdraw, but you can’t join paid contests. When you step back into an allowed location, your full experience snaps back.
Think of it like blackout restrictions in sports broadcasting. Annoying, yes, but rooted in how media rights and legal jurisdictions work. The difference is that here you control the timing better. If you know travel dates, you can set your paid entries before you fly, then monitor them on the road without trying to add new paid contests from a restricted zone.
Clarity on top state-intent searches (without the jargon)
Dream11 legal status state-wise often boils down to a few high-demand queries. Here’s the clean, jargon-free interpretation meant for everyday players, in line with the table above:
- Dream11 in Telangana: Paid contests restricted.
- Dream11 in Andhra Pradesh: Paid contests restricted.
- Dream11 in Assam: Paid contests restricted.
- Dream11 in Odisha: Paid contests restricted.
- Dream11 in Nagaland: Paid contests restricted due to state licensing regime.
- Dream11 in Sikkim: Paid contests restricted due to state licensing regime.
- Dream11 in Tamil Nadu: Paid contests available; fantasy sports operate as skill games.
- Dream11 in Karnataka: Paid contests available; fantasy sports operate as skill games.
- Dream11 in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal: Paid contests available.
Location-based restrictions explained from the ground up
When you open Dream11 and it says “not allowed in your state,” the system isn’t judging your account; it’s reading your location. Three practical things to know:
- The rule is where you are, not where you’re from. A Delhi-verified account sitting in Telangana cannot join paid contests. A Telangana resident visiting Jaipur can.
- Mock locations, GPS spoofs, and VPNs are account killers. Terms of service violations can lock your account, cancel winnings, and complicate withdrawals.
- Location checks can be strict during contest deadlines. If GPS accuracy drops or your IP flags as anomalous, you might see temporary blocks. Enabling precise location and giving the app permissions generally fixes it.
How this intersects with withdrawals, deposits, and KYC
- Deposits: Only in allowed locations.
- Paid entries: Only in allowed locations.
- Withdrawals: Generally allowed from any location, subject to KYC and banking norms.
- KYC: Complete and keep updated; location doesn’t usually block KYC submission, but it does govern deposit and paid-entry availability.
Free-to-play contests and practice modes
Dream11 keeps a broad layer of free participation open, even in restricted states. That keeps fans engaged with the sport, lets them learn formats, and helps them evaluate their process without money at stake. It also underscores a regulatory point: enjoying the sport is not the problem the law is trying to solve; illegal betting is. When fantasy platforms preserve free play where cash contests are blocked, they’re signaling compliance while keeping fan culture intact.
Recent legal and policy shifts that shaped today’s map
A plain-English timeline of how we got to the current status:
- Multiple High Courts recognize fantasy sports as skill games in cases specifically involving Dream11’s format. The Supreme Court declines to upset those holdings.
- A few states move against online money games with blanket prohibitions. Courts strike those down for being overbroad.
- States refine laws to target games of chance, leaving space for skill games.
- Central rules for online games arrive, outlining due diligence, SROs, and classifications for permissible online real-money games.
- Platforms consolidate a compliance posture: operate across most of India, restrict paid contests in a small group of states with prohibitory or licensing regimes.
Through these shifts, one practical reality never changed: player skill is the engine of long-term success in fantasy sports. If you consistently analyze role clarity, match-ups, and conditions better than the field, you win more often. That’s why the legal system treats fantasy sports differently than gambling, and it’s why Dream11 continues to operate in the vast majority of the country.
Skill versus chance, explained like a selector’s meeting
Imagine you’re picking an XI for a night match at Eden Gardens. You’re weighing:
- Whether to anchor with a top-order accumulator or chase ceiling with a powerplay aggressor.
- If a wrist-spinner’s googly will grip under lights or skid on.
- Whether the death overs will be bowled by a yorker specialist or an inexperienced pacer.
- How left-right batting combinations might disrupt a finger spinner’s rhythm.
- Whether dew will neuter your defensive total.
Now contrast that with tossing a coin. The first scenario rewards preparation, analytics, and risk management. The second is pure luck. That’s the intuitive line the courts have drawn. Fantasy sports sit with the first.
Compliance note and player safety
- Do not attempt to bypass Dream11’s location restrictions. That violates platform terms and can create serious account and legal issues.
- Confirm the current restricted states list on the Dream11 Help Centre before deposits or contest entries.
- Keep KYC information accurate. Withdrawals are smoother, tax compliance is easier, and it’s your best defense if a dispute arises.
- If a state law changes where you live, expect the app to change behavior immediately. Don’t assume a grace period.
Editorial stance on contested territory
You’ll sometimes see social posts claiming “fantasy cricket banned in India.” That’s not accurate. Fantasy sports have strong legal backing as games of skill. What exists is a patchwork caused by state sovereignty over gambling and the speed gap between tech and lawmaking. Platforms like Dream11 navigate this by over-compliance: they stay conservative where the law is unclear or prohibitive.
For everyday fans, that means the boundaries can feel arbitrary. You might be able to captain a differential pick in Pune but not in Visakhapatnam. It’s frustrating, but it’s also the cost of operating responsibly in a federated system. The upside is trust—your winnings are honored, your KYC is respected, and you play in a system that stands up in court.
Player-first reminders that stand the test of time
- Know your location rules before a tour or trip. If you plan to travel, set your paid entries before you leave an allowed state.
- Treat your fantasy budget like a season-long bankroll. Consistency beats one-off punts.
- Use platform tools: deposit limits, contest filters, and break reminders.
- Keep documentation tidy: PAN, bank account details, and address proofs updated to avoid withdrawal delays.
Sources and official references
- Dream11 Help Centre and Legal/Eligibility pages: the definitive source for current restricted states, KYC rules, deposit/withdrawal policies, and age limits.
- High Court judgments involving fantasy sports and Dream11’s format, including decisions from Punjab & Haryana, Rajasthan, and Bombay.
- Supreme Court orders declining interference with those holdings, reinforcing skill-game recognition.
- State statutes governing gaming/gambling in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, and Nagaland.
- Central online gaming rules and advisories setting out due diligence, KYC, and self-regulatory pathways.
- Reputable legal and policy trackers covering online skill gaming and fantasy sports.
Clear, human answers to the most common concerns (FAQ-style, without the question marks)
Dream11 is not banned in India. It operates almost everywhere with paid contests except in a small group of states where local law or licensing means the app blocks real-money entries. Free play is generally available nationwide.
Dream11 restricted states list, in plain terms, includes Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, and Telangana for paid contests. The list can evolve, so treat the Dream11 Help Centre as your live source of truth.
Legality in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka supports fantasy sports as skill games. Dream11 paid contests are available there, and platforms operate in compliance with court rulings and state laws that target chance-based games, not fantasy skill formats.
Withdrawals from a restricted state are generally allowed. You can withdraw your funds after completing KYC and bank verification. Adding cash or entering paid contests is location-gated and not permitted from restricted jurisdictions.
KYC in a restricted state remains possible. KYC is about identity and age verification, not location by itself. Location governs paid participation and deposits.
Dream11 determines your location using GPS, IP, and network signals. Attempts to spoof location breach terms and can lead to account action.
The legal age to play on Dream11 for real money is 18+. Underage participation is prohibited.
Dream11 versus other platforms regarding restricted states often looks similar because all major operators follow the same state laws and compliance logic. Minor differences can occur based on individual legal assessments, but the six-state restriction set is common across the industry.
If you travel during a tournament, you can monitor contests and participate in free experiences from a restricted state, but you cannot join paid contests until you’re back in an allowed location.
Dream11 legality by state can be quickly read in the table above. Most states are “allowed” for paid contests; a handful are “not allowed” due to state law or licensing frameworks.
A closing word from someone who has lived fantasy seasons across formats
I’ve picked seamers at the Chinnaswamy and paid for it when the dew turned the ball to soap. I’ve captained a leggie at Chepauk and watched a slow six-for unravel carefully laid plans. And I’ve learned that the difference between a strong week and a tilt can be whether you read a team’s powerplay intent correctly or caught a benching rumor an hour before toss. That’s not gambling; that’s pattern recognition, discipline, and a dash of nerve.
The law increasingly reflects that reality. Dream11’s footprint across India exists because fantasy contests are built on demonstrable skill, tested by the courts, and shaped by compliance choices that err on the side of caution. For you, the player, it boils down to this:
- If you’re in an allowed location, you can play paid contests within a clear legal and policy framework.
- If you’re in one of the restricted states, you can enjoy free play and follow your teams, but you’ll have to wait to enter cash contests.
- Always check the Dream11 Help Centre before you deposit or enter paid contests. It takes a minute and saves headaches.
Disclaimer
This article reflects the current understanding of Dream11’s state-wise restrictions and the legal landscape for fantasy sports in India. Laws and platform policies can change without notice. For the most accurate, actionable guidance, refer to the official Dream11 Help Centre and consult professional legal or tax advisors when needed.
About the author and editorial standards
Written by a long-time fantasy sports analyst and reporter who has covered the intersection of sport, law, and technology across India. Every legal reference in this guide is double-checked against official sources or recognized legal reporting. We maintain a regular review cadence and update this page when state policies or platform rules change.
