India’s online gaming ban has claimed its first major casualty MPL cuts 60% of its workforce.
Mobile Premier League (MPL) is laying off nearly 300 employees following India’s sweeping ban on real-money online gaming. According to CEO Sai Srinivas, the decision was taken with a “heavy heart” as the company braces for the loss of its India revenue, which once contributed nearly half of MPL’s earnings. The layoffs will affect staff across departments, including operations, marketing, finance, engineering, and legal.
The new legislation prohibits both skill-based and chance-based money games, with heavy penalties attached. As a result, MPL has suspended all real-money contests in India and is now pivoting to international markets, exploring free-to-play opportunities in Europe and regulated real-money formats in the US and Brazil.
This development underscores the challenges faced by India’s gaming industry, where rival platforms like Dream11 and WinZO have also suspended operations. Industry experts warn that the ban could cost the government ₹20,000 crore in annual tax revenue and push players to offshore platforms.
