HOW INDIAN PEOPLE ARE FOOLED BY THE FANTASY APPS

 Fantasy apps, particularly those centered around cricket in India, have surged in popularity, with platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL boasting millions of users. While these apps are legal—classified as games of skill by Indian courts, including the Supreme Court in 2021—they’ve raised concerns about exploitation, addiction, and financial harm. Here’s a breakdown of how some Indian users may feel misled or "fooled" by these platforms, grounded in observable patterns and sentiment, while avoiding speculation beyond what’s evident.

1. Aggressive Marketing and Unrealistic Promises

Fantasy apps heavily advertise during major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL), often featuring celebrity endorsements from cricketers like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, or Sourav Ganguly. Ads frequently highlight life-changing wins—such as crores of rupees—creating an impression that big payouts are common. In reality, the odds of winning large prizes are slim due to high competition, with millions participating in contests. For example, a single IPL match can see tens of millions of users vying for a limited prize pool, meaning most lose their entry fees. This gap between marketed dreams and actual outcomes can feel deceptive to users who expect frequent or easy wins.

- Testimonials: Paid or curated testimonials often showcase "common people" claiming massive wins, which may not reflect the typical experience. These can mislead users into believing success is more attainable than it is.

- Youth Appeal: Ads target younger audiences, including teenagers, who may lack financial literacy. Despite age restrictions (most apps require users to be 18), some bypass these using family members’ IDs, drawn in by the allure of quick money.

2. Addictive Design

Fantasy apps are engineered to keep users hooked, using real-time updates, leaderboards, and the thrill of live matches to encourage continuous engagement. The design mimics gambling-like behavior, where small wins or near-misses spur users to keep playing. For instance, a user might win a small amount early on, only to lose more over time chasing bigger rewards. This can lead to compulsive use, especially among cricket fans emotionally invested in the sport.

- Financial Risk: Entry fees for contests range from a few rupees to thousands, and users often create multiple teams to boost their chances, increasing expenditure. Stories of individuals losing significant sums—like a 24-year-old losing ₹1.25 lakh or families facing debt—highlight how the addictive nature can spiral into financial distress.

- Lack of Transparency: Some users feel the scoring systems or prize distributions lack clarity, fostering distrust. While apps claim fairness, the complexity of point calculations can make it hard for casual players to assess their real chances.

3. Economic and Social Impact

With over 180 million users and a market valued at ₹45,000 crore in 2024, fantasy apps tap into India’s cricket craze and growing smartphone penetration. However, they disproportionately affect vulnerable groups—students, job seekers, or low-income individuals—who may see these apps as a shortcut to financial security. For example, a job seeker losing ₹40,000 meant for tuition or a teen betting family savings illustrates how the promise of quick wealth can devastate households.

- Underage Access: Despite regulations, enforcement of age limits is lax, and some apps don’t verify identities rigorously, allowing minors to participate and risk money.

- Mental Health: Addiction to fantasy apps has been linked to stress, anxiety, and even extreme cases like suicides tied to gambling-like debts, as seen in reports of families losing everything to such platforms.

4. Regulatory Gray Areas

While fantasy sports are legal as "games of skill," critics argue they skirt the edges of gambling. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 doesn’t address online platforms, and state laws vary, creating a patchwork of oversight. Some apps have been accused of disguising betting as fantasy gaming to evade scrutiny, especially offshore platforms operating in loosely regulated jurisdictions like Curacao or Malta. The lack of a uniform national framework leaves users vulnerable to exploitation by less scrupulous operators.

- Taxation: A 28% tax on online gaming introduced in 2023 raises costs for users, yet doesn’t address addiction or transparency issues. Some argue it treats fantasy apps like vices (e.g., alcohol), implicitly acknowledging their risks without curbing them.

- Self-Regulation: The Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) sets guidelines, like mandating disclaimers about financial risk and addiction, but these are often buried in fine print or ignored by users caught up in the excitement.

5. Skeptical Perspectives

On the flip side, not all users feel "fooled." Many enjoy fantasy apps as a skill-based hobby, where knowledge of cricket—player form, pitch conditions, matchups—can yield rewards. Court rulings and NITI Aayog’s recognition of fantasy sports as legitimate business activity support their legality and economic contributions, like job creation and foreign investment. However, even defenders acknowledge that without stronger consumer protections, vulnerable users remain at risk.

Conclusion

Indian users aren’t necessarily "fooled" by fantasy apps in a conspiratorial sense, but many fall into a cycle of misplaced hope and financial loss due to aggressive marketing, addictive designs, and inadequate safeguards. The apps exploit cricket’s cultural grip and the dream of instant wealth, often at the expense of those least equipped to bear the cost. Regulatory steps—like stricter age verification, transparent prize odds, or addiction awareness campaigns—could help, but for now, users must navigate a system stacked against the average player. Always approach such platforms with caution, sticking to budgets and treating them as entertainment, not income. (https://www.dw.com/en/india-addicted-to-online-betting-and-fantasy-gaming/a-72057412)(https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/7/20/in-india-fantasy-gaming-is-causing-addiction-and-financial-ruin)