MPL lays off practically complete India workforce after Actual Cash Gaming ban

Galactus Funware Technology Pvt. Ltd., the dad or mum firm of Mobile Premier League (MPL), has initiated large-scale layoffs in India, impacting nearly its complete home workforce. According to folks acquainted with the matter, practically 600-700 workers—or near 100% of MPL’s India workers—have been let go following the federal government’s ban on real-money gaming operations.

A handful of workers are anticipated to be relocated abroad to give attention to the corporate’s technique and operations in worldwide markets, primarily the United States, the place MPL is doubling down on its gaming enterprise. However, impacted staff in India embody advertising, finance, authorized, coverage, product improvement, amongst others.

One of the affected workers from the coverage and authorized staff informed Storyboard18, “We received an email from CEO Sai Srinivas citing the ban on real-money gaming operations as the reason behind the layoffs. Almost 100 percent of the team has been sacked. The email stated that they will help employees during the transition period.”

MPL, as soon as amongst India’s most distinguished gaming unicorns, has to date declined to remark formally on the event.

The layoffs come at a time when the Indian on-line gaming trade is going through heightened regulatory scrutiny. The passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 has triggered uncertainty for real-money gaming platforms. MPL’s opinion-trading arm, MPL Opinio, had ceased operations, and the corporate has now wound down its complete real-money gaming enterprise in India.

Founded in 2018 by Sai Srinivas and Shubh Malhotra, MPL quickly scaled as much as provide over 60 video games throughout classes together with board video games, puzzles, and informal titles. It boasted over 90 million registered customers globally and was final valued at $2.3 billion in September 2021, after elevating $150 million. In FY24, MPL posted revenues of $130 million, a 22% improve year-on-year, and achieved break-even with a marginal adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million.

Despite MPL’s sharp progress and worldwide footprint—spanning North America, Europe, and Africa—the regulatory crackdown has pressured it to exit its most vital market. Industry our bodies just like the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) have cautioned that the web gaming sector, which contributes over ₹20,000 crore yearly in taxes and employs greater than two lakh folks, might face extreme disruption if coverage challenges persist.

MPL, backed by Peak XV Partners, is now betting on abroad markets for survival and growth. Roughly 31% of its FY24 income already got here from worldwide operations, a share anticipated to rise sharply with its exit from real-money gaming in India.