Dream11 suspends operations in Karnataka

PTI, Oct 11, 2021, 3:45 PM IST

Bengaluru: Following the recent passage of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, the crackdown on online gaming has begun in the state.

On Friday, October 8, Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain, the founders and directors of Sporta Technologies Private Limited that runs the popular gaming app ‘Dream-11’, were booked under the provisions of the newly amended Karnataka Police Act, 1963.

Now, Dream11 has suspended operations in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

In a press release, Dream11 said, “We have been advised by the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), who have shared an opinion from a former Supreme Court Judge, stating that the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021 does not apply to its member Fantasy Sports Operators.”

“This is because the FIFS format of Fantasy Sports has been upheld by the hon’ble Courts of India as not amounting to gambling, betting or wagering,” the release read.

“However, following the recent media coverage, our Karnataka users have expressed deep concerns and anxiety on their safety and security. In order to allay our users’ concerns, we have decided to suspend operations in Karnataka.
This decision is without prejudice to our rights and contentions under law,” it added.