Fantasy Sports: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Do you love sports? Do you sometimes dream of managing your own team of superstars? Well, then you are in luck because fantasy sports can make your dream come true.

With Fantasy sports, you can be the boss of your own sports team, picking your favourite players and making them win games for you. In this article, we will explore the world of fantasy sports and help you understand everything you need to know to get started.

What is Fantasy Sports?

If you are hearing the word “Fantasy sports” for the first time, then let us help you get a clear understanding of it. Fantasy sports are games where you build a team of your favourite players and earn points based on how well they play in real games. Fantasy sports can be played for fun or for money, and there are many different types of fantasy sports leagues to choose from.

How does it work?

If you subscribe to the Fantasy Gaming network, then you must first select real players to build your virtual team. This team will be playing on your behalf against the opponent team in your chosen game. 

The Games 

Fantasy Gaming offers a plethora of popular sports that you can select from. This includes football, Fantasy Cricket, kabaddi, basketball and other games.

Each time your team performs well, you score points. This means that your performance will depend on the performance of your chosen players during the live match. 

There is a credit point system and depending on the team’s performance in the actual game, the team which scores the highest points wins. 

History of Fantasy Sports 

Although it wasn’t so prominent, the origin of fantasy sports can be dated to the period of World War II. It was around this time that many sports enthusiasts were seen selecting their favourite players and keeping track of their scores.

Sometime in the 50s decade, the game picked up in Oakland. First, it was the fantasy golf that was initiated by Wilfred Winkenbach followed by the Fantasy Football League in 1962 and the Fantasy Baseball League in 1960. 

Later in 2007, it was the Daily Fantasy Sports that went live. Known as DFS, they get players for shorter spells. Players can enjoy this in the form of contests against an entry fee. The organizers charge a fee for organizing the event and for prizes for the contests.

If you are playing a Dream11 contest, you will have to pay 15% as service charges. Only playing with real money will make you eligible to win cash upon rising victorious in a contest you’ve registered for.

Fantasy Sports India

Not limited to one region, this exclusive sports gaming has become very popular in India as well. If you were to look at the statistics of Dream11, there are over 60M subscribers involved in a series of sports that include football, cricket, kabaddi, hockey as well as basketball. 

The leagues have been expanding ever since they were formed and with rising popularity, Dream11 has also signed up a partnership contract with international leagues and federations.

Some of these include the prominent

• IPL – Indian Premier League (for Fantasy Cricket)

• BBL – Big Bash League (for Cricket)

• NBA – National Basketball Association (for Basketball)

• Pro Kabaddi League (for Kabaddi)

• International Hockey Federation (for Hockey)

The best part is that gamers can enjoy playing in the professional leagues and enjoy the best quality of gaming. 

A Glimpse of the Industry of Fantasy Sports In India

The legality and GST are common concerns that any gamer would have before investing in the leagues. This brief can get you a better insight into how it works.

If you follow the latest news and buzz around Fantasy Sports, then you must have seen MS Dhoni promoting the IPL featuring Dream11 app and Virat Kohli in an advert for the MPL (Mobile Premier League). Doesn’t that shout out its brand value? 

In India, the Fantasy Sports itself has over 60 platforms. According to the Indian Federation of Sports Gaming and KPMG reports, there are about 20 million players in India in the network which the Fantasy channels are catering to.

In 2019, around 100 million sports enthusiasts were estimated to enjoy Fantasy sports via its online and mobile platforms. It is anticipated that with time a larger number of people will join the club. 

It is the high-speed, uninterrupted 4G mobile connectivity that has become the primary reason behind the success of Fantasy Sports across India. Thanks to services such as Reliance Jio which has made this dream a reality. 

As one of the largest sports companies, Dream11 has been progressing towards emerging as a top fantasy cricket brand. It is backed by Tencent (a Chinese internet giant) and has acquired Unicorn status.

With Steadview Capital’s funding and Dream11 siphoning series D funds, the future looks bright for the stakeholders as well. 

Players wishing to play any fantasy sports can navigate to the website and join a fantasy league team. It was around 2008 when fantasy cricket was launched during the IPL when this gained momentum. 

Today, there are a plethora of fantasy sports games offered via a multitude of platforms. In India, the Fantasy Cricket league has acclaimed a tremendous amount of appreciation and yes the credit goes to the large cricket fan base.

Along with cricket, the other Fantasy Sports attractions are basketball, badminton, hockey, kabaddi, football, squash, and Formula 1. 

Is Fantasy Sports Legal in India?

Currently, Fantasy Sports aren’t allowed in the states of Assam, Odisha and Telangana. It’s not that Fantasy Cricket and Sports has not been into controversy. A petitioner from Mumbai filed a case stating that Dream11 was escaping the GST and that it encouraged gambling in the country.

In response to this, the Bombay High Court judges promptly rejected the allegations. Based on the Court’s ruling, 18% GST applies to fantasy sports and Dream11 app. It was held in another ruling by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana that players require a certain level of skills to engage in Fantasy Sports and that’s why it cannot be termed as a lottery. 

While there are no laws in India per se, The Co-Founder and executive officer of Dream11, Harsh Jain prompted the establishment of the IFSG in 2017. With its self-regulatory standards, the IFSG rules this sports gaming initiative. 

Among the popular Fantasy Cricket league, fantasy is Dream11, Mobile Premier League, Scoring11, 11Wickets, Halaplay, Fanfight and others. It is estimated that with the growing popularity of fantasy sports, this number is soon going to touch the 100-mark.

Types of Fantasy Games

Here are some of the most popular types of fantasy sports app in India:

Cricket Fantasy: In India, cricket is incredibly important, almost like a religious thing. Cricket fantasy games are the most popular type of fantasy sport here. In these games, people make pretend teams by choosing real cricket players. The players on their teams earn points based on how well they do in real cricket matches, like how many runs they score, how many wickets they take, or catches they make. Fantasy games for the Indian Premier League (IPL) are super famous, and lots of people play them.

Football Fantasy: Fantasy football games are becoming more popular in India, especially when there are big events like the FIFA World Cup or local leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and international ones like the English Premier League (EPL). People make teams of football players, and how well these players do in actual matches decides if their fantasy team does well or not.

Kabaddi Fantasy: Even the traditional Indian sport, Kabaddi, is part of the fantasy sports world now. In fantasy kabaddi games, people make teams with kabaddi players, and how these players perform in Pro Kabaddi League matches determines their scores.

Basketball and Hockey Fantasy: While not as popular as cricket and football, fantasy games for basketball and hockey are also available in India. These games follow the same principles, where participants draft players from real teams and earn points based on their performance.

In addition to these major sports, there are also fantasy leagues available for other sports such as badminton, tennis, and volleyball.

What makes Fantasy Games popular?

Fantasy sports have rapidly grown in popularity over the years, making us wonder about the reason behind its popularity. This rise in interest can be because of several key factors that make the genre not only entertaining but also accessible.

Here are some of the main reasons for the widespread appeal of fantasy sports

Equal opportunities for players 

Fantasy sports are fair for everyone, and that’s a big reason why people like them. Unlike regular sports betting, where luck matters a lot, fantasy sports are more about your skills and knowledge.

It doesn’t matter where you come from, how old you are, or if you’re a boy or a girl – anyone can join in and have an equal chance to do well. This makes fantasy sports open to everyone and helps people feel like they’re part of a friendly community.

Legality 

The rules and laws that apply to fantasy sports help make it more popular. In some places like the United States and India, they say fantasy sports are more about skills than luck. This makes it a real and safe game for people to play. Because it’s legal, more people invest in it, and even pro sports teams get involved, making fantasy sports even more famous.

Real-Money Play

The chance to win actual money is a big reason why people love fantasy sports. When you do well, you can get cash prizes from many fantasy sports websites. This makes people really want to play and try their best. For some, it’s not just a hobby anymore; it’s a way to make money. But remember, it’s essential to play responsibly. The idea of winning money makes it even more fun and exciting.

Engagement and Entertainment

Fantasy sports aren’t just about making money. They’re super fun and get fans really involved. People who play fantasy sports spend time learning about their favourite sports, players, and teams. They look at stats, watch how players do, and plan how to make their fantasy team win. This makes watching sports even more exciting and helps fans feel closer to the games they love.

Comparison with Traditional Sports Fandom

Fantasy sports help connect people who love watching sports with those who want to be part of the game. Regular sports fans usually watch games and cheer for their teams. But in fantasy sports, fans get to be more involved. They study, plan, and compete, which makes them feel even more attached to the sports and players they like. This makes fantasy sports a great choice for sports fans.

Transforming Cricket Fans To Stakeholders: The Role Of Fantasy Sports

Fantasy Sports was already experimenting with a range of popular games and local players which was the pitching point that scored them high points. The audience engaged more in what they could connect with and became stakeholders from being fans. 

If you take the example of the Manchester United Football Club, you will understand what we are talking about. Every football fan can relate to such clubs. If you remember, the dream victory of the Indian team at Old Trafford was enjoyed by millions of users on their smartphones.

It was just not a matter of prestige for several Indian sports enthusiasts to in over Pakistan but every misfield or dismissal counted as it affected them financially.

A survey report from IFSG and KPMG revealed that in 2018 the Fantasy Sports platforms covered more than 70 million Indians. Data indicates that as much as 11880Cr INR or $1.73 billion was staked in the emerging sports category. 

The only challenge has been the perception that Fantasy Sports is akin to sports betting and this has been stunting its mainstream growth.

There’s no denying how Fantasy Sports has sprouted. As pointed out by the StarPick CEO and Co-Founder, in India, the cricket betting market is worth $150 and with so many funds in circulation, the government must keep a close watch on how this amount is being used. 

Tips and tricks to create the best team in Fantasy Sports

You can choose any player as the captain and vice-captain of your virtual team. It can be a wicket-keeper, bowler, all-rounder or a batsman. You will get double points for the points scored by the captain of your virtual team.

The vice-captain usually fetches about 1.5x points. In order to create a perfect dream team, you need to make sure to follow regular news updates pertaining to the match.

Do not forget to consider the pitch conditions while forming your team. If the pitch favours batsmen, it is best to select five batsmen in your team. If the pitch favours bowlers, it is best to go for more bowlers.

Fantasy Cricket: Everything You Need To Know

How To Play Fantasy Cricket

Fantasy games are quite simple to play. You need to pick 11 players by utilizing your knowledge of cricket. Creating a balanced team will enhance your chances of winning the game. Here are the steps you need to follow.

• Choose a match for which you intend to create a virtual team

• Create your virtual team

• Enter a contest

• Follow the match

• Withdraw your winnings

Making money through fantasy cricket

The idea behind fantasy cricket is fairly simple. You need to create a virtual team of eleven players. Certain apps also permit you to pick a substitute while creating your team. In order to win a cash prize, you need to make sure to create the best team for every match.

The most vital part of winning in fantasy cricket is to select the right captain and vice-captain. Hence, it is best to study the form of the players before choosing any captain and vice-captain for your virtual team.    

Choosing the team

While playing fantasy cricket, you will have to choose eleven players who you think will outshine in that particular match depending upon the form and pitch conditions.

You can create your dream team using your knowledge and understanding. The most basic and popular format for creating a virtual team in most fantasy cricket websites and apps is

• Bowlers: 3-5

• All-rounders: 1-3

• Wicketkeeper- 1

• Batsmen-3-5 

This implies that you can form your team by choosing 1

How to win fantasy cricket and win real cash?

There has been a massive surge in the popularity of fantasy league gaming in India, because it can help one make easy money online by playing fantasy league games. There are numerous websites and apps to play games and win real cash.

A lot of these apps cater to mobile phone users. If you are not aware of the concept of fantasy gaming, then you can read further to get acquainted with the basics.  

Tips and Tricks For Fantasy Cricket

• Enter contests with fewer members: It is always best to contest with fewer opponents rather than fighting against thousands of opponents for a win. This is because your chance of ranking within 20 is quite low in such contests. In order to make more money, you should always enter contests with 20 or fewer participants.
  
• Understand the points system better: Every fantasy gaming website or app has its own parameters for offering points to the participants. The point format decides how well-balanced your team is. The players get points for scoring runs, catches, wickets, half-centuries and centuries.
  
• Choose your captain and vice-captain wisely: This is the most crucial aspect of a game. Choosing the right combination of captain and vice-captain is certainly going to increase your chances of winning.
  
• Refer and earn: Most fantasy apps offer a referral program to their players. You need to share your referral link or code in order to earn a bonus. You can utilize that amount to enter into cash contests for free. This is one of the best ways to play fantasy league games as you have nothing to lose in the end.
  
• Sign-up bonus: Most fantasy websites offer a welcome or signup bonus to the users. This will help them get started off over their platform. You can utilize the bonus earned by entering cash contests.  
  
• Keep a tab on player performance: If you want to win in fantasy league games, you need to keep a tab on the current form of all the players. It is best not to choose a player based on reputation. It is vital to consider the current form. Make a note of the players who have performed well in recent matches.
  
• Playing fantasy cricket for free: In order to enter your virtual team in any contest, you will have to make a deposit. However, there are certain apps that let you enter the contest for free and still be able to make money. CricPlay is an app that lets you participate in contests without investing any money. You can win coins by watching ads. You can participate in daily predictions for winning cash rewards.

Fantasy apps promise unrestricted entertainment to users. Fantasy gaming is not just about cricket anymore. You can also create teams for football, basketball, hockey, and kabaddi matches.  

Top 5 Fantasy Cricket App List In India

1. Dream11

Dream11 is one of the leading representatives of Fantasy Cricket and Sports with about 90% of their market share in India. The app has over 8 crore users, making it one of the most popular fantasy cricket apps in India. 

Some of its features are:

• Gives you a live score update
• Has 4.3 ratings
• Offers sign-up bonus of 100 rupees
• The minimum withdrawal is 200 rupees

2. MyTeam11

MyTeam11 is another popular fantasy cricket app in India, with over 15 million users. The app is available in 9 languages and has Virender Sehwag as brand ambassador

Some of its features are:

• Sign-up bonus of INR 100
• Offers refers bonus of INR 50
• Multiple sports and team creation
• Has 4.2 ratings

3. BalleBaazi

BalleBaazi is a relatively new fantasy cricket app, but it has quickly gained popularity due to its unique features. The brand ambassador of this app is legendary cricketer, Yuvraj Singh. This adds to the authenticity of this app making it a great option for many.

Some of its features are:

• Sign-up bonus of INR 50
• A referral bonus of INR 50
• Has an app rating of 2.9 stars
• Easy to use and has live chat

4. MPL Fantasy

MPL Fantasy is a part of the popular Mobile Premier League (MPL) gaming platform. The app offers different fantasy sports games such as football, basketball, etc. The app’s brand ambassador is the very famous Virat Kholi itself.

Some of its features are:

• Referral Bonus of INR 75
• Offers Unlimited real Cash withdrawals
• Has a signup bonus of INR 50
• App rating of 4.0 stars

5. Myfab11

Last on our list is Myfab11. The app is another great option for fantasy cricket enthusiasts to try. The app is available on both iOS and Android and offers a variety of options to choose from.

Some of its features are:

• Sign-up bonus of INR 100
• Minimum payout of INR 150
• Has referral program
• User-friendly Interface and 27/7 support

Concluding thoughts 

Fantasy Sports in India are estimated to cross the $5 billion mark over the next two years. In 2019, the industry has already roped in 100 million gamers. 

Players now have the advantage of predicting the results of an ongoing match along with their participation in their favourite sport. It’s this platform that allows gamers to stake in matches happening in India and overseas at a time. At present, the Indian Federation of Sports Gaming sets the standards for Fantasy Sports across the country.

Recognized as a game that requires skills, knowledge and some experience, Fantasy Sports has conveniently been ruled out of the sports betting genre. It is believed that the ability to analyze players requires knowledge and information unlike that in any chance-based game.

While sports enthusiasts from most Indian states can play Fantasy Sports, the league is yet to be accessible to residents of Odisha, Telangana and Assam. 18% GST applicable makes things quite different and also distinguishes it from betting on sports.    

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