“A Difficult But Necessary Step”: MPL CEO Announces 60% Layoffs After Real-Money Gaming Ban In India, Says No Revenue Ahead

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s leading gaming platforms, is facing a major setback following the government’s decision to prohibit real-money gaming. 

The company has confirmed large-scale layoffs as its India business, once a major source of revenue, comes to a halt.

MPL’s Major Downsizing

MPL will cut nearly 60 percent of its India workforce, affecting about 300 of its 500 employees across marketing, engineering, finance, operations, and legal roles. 

In an internal memo circulated on Sunday, CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the decision, saying,

“With a heavy heart, we have decided that we will be downsizing our India team significantly.” 

He noted that India contributed nearly half of MPL’s total revenue, but the new ban means the company will no longer be generating income from the country in the near future. Srinivas added that MPL is committed to providing employees affected by the layoffs with every possible support during the transition.

With that income wiped out, the company now plans to experiment with free-to-play gaming in India while focusing more on international markets such as the United States, Europe, and Latin America.

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Ban on Real-Money Mobile Gaming

The layoffs follow the government’s decision to pass the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The law bans all forms of real-money online gaming, including those that were earlier considered skill-based, leaving companies like MPL without their core business model.

The ban has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, which had been expanding rapidly in recent years. Analysts believe other leading platforms like Dream11, Zupee, and PokerBaazi will also be forced to rethink their strategies.

For MPL, the impact has been immediate, with its largest revenue source gone overnight.

Experts warn the effects will ripple across the ecosystem, hitting not just companies but also investors, tournament organizers, and professional gamers.

After years of fast-paced growth, India’s online gaming sector is now entering a period of uncertainty and possible consolidation.

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