Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s leading online gaming platforms, is laying off approximately 60% of its local workforce, impacting around 300 of its 500 employees. The drastic move is a direct consequence of the recent government ban on real-money online gaming, which has effectively wiped out the company’s domestic revenue.
In an internal email to employees, MPL CEO Sai Srinivas acknowledged the difficult decision, stating that the new law means the company “will no longer be making any revenue from India in the near future.” India accounted for a significant 50% of the company’s total revenue, making the ban a devastating blow to its business model.
The layoffs, which began on Sunday, August 31, 2025, affect employees across various departments, including marketing, finance, legal, and product development. While a handful of employees may be relocated to international offices, the majority of the India-based team has been let go.
The company’s decision signals a major strategic shift. With its core business model now prohibited in India, MPL is focusing on expanding its free-to-play gaming offerings in international markets like the United States, Brazil, and Europe. Unlike its rival Dream11, which has also discontinued its real-money gaming offerings but has not announced layoffs, MPL has opted to downsize its workforce to navigate the new regulatory landscape.
The government’s ban on paid games, citing concerns over financial and addiction risks, has sent shockwaves through the entire online gaming industry. While some companies, like A23, are legally challenging the new law, MPL has stated it will not pursue a legal battle, believing any relief would be a long and drawn-out process.
The layoffs at MPL underscore the severe and immediate impact of the new regulations on an industry that was projected to be worth $3.6 billion by 2029 and had attracted major venture capital investments.
Key Highlights:
- Mass Layoffs: Mobile Premier League (MPL) is laying off approximately 60% of its India-based workforce, impacting around 300 employees, following the government’s ban on real-money gaming.
- India Revenue Wiped Out: The company’s CEO, Sai Srinivas, confirmed that the new law means MPL will generate “no revenue from India in the near future,” as the country previously accounted for half of its total revenue.
- Strategic Pivot: With its core business model now defunct in India, MPL is shifting its focus to free-to-play games and expanding its operations in international markets such as the US and Brazil.
- Industry-Wide Impact: The layoffs at MPL reflect the broader crisis facing the Indian online gaming industry, which has been severely disrupted by the new regulations, leading to job cuts and business model changes across the sector.