Dream11 is an Indian fantasy sports platform[6] that allows users to play daily fantasy sports contests, primarily in cricket. The platform allowed users to take part in paid and free contests by assembling a virtual team of real-life players, and score points based on those players' actual statistical performance on the field of play.[7][8][9] Paid contests were discontinued in August 2025 after the Parliament of India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
In April 2019, Dream11 became the first Indian fantasy sport company to become a unicorn.[10] In November 2021, Dream11 was valued at $8 billion.[11][12] In October 2023, Dream11 claimed to have 200 million users.[13]
History
Dream11 was co-founded by Harsh Jain (son of Indian businessman Anand Jain) and Bhavit Sheth in 2008.[14][15][16] In 2012, they introduced freemium fantasy sports in India for cricket fans.[17] In 2014, the company reported 1 million registered users, which grew to 2 million in 2016 and to 45 million in 2018.[18][19]
In April 2019, Steadview Capital completed secondary investment in Dream11. Apart from Steadview, Dream11's investors included Kalaari Capital, Think Investments,[20]
Legality
In 2017, a case was registered against the company in an Indian High Court. The court, in its ruling, stated that playing the Dream11 game involves superior knowledge, judgement and attention. The Court also held that "the element of skill" had a predominant influence on the outcome of the Dream11 game. However, the law does not allow fantasy sports in a few Indian states like Assam, Telangana[23] and Andhra Pradesh.[24] A challenge to this judgement was filed with the Supreme Court of India, which dismissed the appeal.[25] The judgement provided legality[26] to the company and allowed them to run their operations throughout the country.[27]
In October 2021, Dream11 suspended its operations in Karnataka after the state prohibited online gambling, betting and wagering.
Partnerships
In 2017, the company partnered with three leagues within cricket, football and basketball. Dream11 became the Official Fantasy Partner for Caribbean Premier League, Indian Super League[33] and US professional basketball league National Basketball Association (NBA).[6] Later in the year, they partnered with the Indian Super League as their official Fantasy Football Partner.[34][35] In November 2017, the NBA, launched a fantasy basketball game in association with Dream11 and launched their official NBA fantasy game on their platform.[36][37]
In 2018, Dream11 announced its partnership with
Financials
Brand ambassadors
The company had first signed commentator Harsha Bhogle as their brand ambassador in 2018 IPL.[51]
Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the brand ambassador of Dream11 and launched the "Dimaag se Dhoni" media campaign during the 2018 Indian Premier League.[52]
In 2019, Dream11 signed up seven cricketers and partnered with seven Indian Premier League franchise as part of its multi-channel marketing campaign.[53]
In March 2022, Dream11 announced actors Kartik Aaryan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as their brand ambassadors. This was the first time that the company roped in celebrities outside of sports as their ambassadors.[54] Dream11 also has Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya
Format
Dream11 provides a fantasy gaming platform for multiple sports such as fantasy cricket, football, basketball, kabaddi, hockey, volleyball, handball and baseball. It is an online game where users create a virtual team of real-life players and earn points based on the performances of these players in real matches.[57] A user who scores the maximum points in their joined contests attains the first rank on the leader-board. Dream11 offers free and paid contests. A user has to pay a certain fee to join a contest and can win real cash.[58] To participate in a Dream11 game, a user must be at least 18 years old and needs to get their profile verified using their PAN.[59]
External links
References
- Dream11 turned fantasy (gaming) into reality. Now it's eyeing a diversified sports tech future retrieved 11 June 2022^
- Dream11 posts Rs 6,384 Cr revenue and Rs 188 Cr PAT in FY23 EnTrackr, retrieved 26 January 2024^
- Gaurav Laghate. Dream Sports' FanCode launches fan merchandise store