Fantasy Sports - Where Passion Meets Skill

A few years ago the call to action message - play fantasy cricket and win cash daily - would have received a poor response from Indian sports enthusiasts. The average sports fan wouldn't have subscribed to the thought that he/she could earn cash incentives by playing the gentleman's game on the virtual world. But the arrival of the digital world has changed things completely. Now, according to the Indian Sports Federation of Gaming, more than 60 platforms are hosting fantasy games, and the number of players is estimated to reach 100 million by 2020. Fantasy sports platforms have roped in sporting icons like MS Dhoni, Chris Gayle, and Sunil Chhetri as brand ambassadors.

Skill-based Game

Fantasy Sports, believed to be originated from USA, is a skill-based online game where participants can create a playing XI, for football and cricket, based on a real match. Participants will receive points depending on the performance of the players on the field. Most platforms offer cash prizes and participants can enter in paid or free leagues where they will fight it out with other sports fanatics.

Be the Coach

Imagine you get a chance to fill Ravi Shastri’s shoes? Each participant is given 100 credits to pick a team of 11 players. Once the team is set up, they can enter paid or free leagues before the deadline. The participant who accumulates the most number of points will win the league.

Rewards

Participants receive cash rewards for putting their analytical and statistical skills to the test. Paid leagues will have increased number of prizes up for grabs. With cricket being the most followed sport in India, the userbase playing fantasy cricket leagues is very high; followed by football and kabaddi.

It’s Legal

Betting and fantasy games are two different things; the former is banned in India, while the latter is legal. Gambling is a chance-based betting activity where betters make wild guesses about the outcome of an event. Meanwhile, fantasy sports requires a careful and in-depth analysis of teams & players - similar to what a coach or manager does. In short, fantasy sports is a game of skill and helps intensify the love and passion for sports.

Making Rapid Strides - LeagueAdda

LeagueAdda, which has West Indian legend Chris Gayle as its brand ambassador, is one of the biggest players in the fantasy sports industry now. It’s a major hub for fantasy sports lovers. Most of them play fantasy cricket and win cash daily. International fixtures (include women’s), Indian Premier League, and many other major T20 tournaments feature in LeagueAdda’s fantasy cricket leagues. Football - includes Premier League, La Liga, Italian Serie A, UEFA Champions League & ISL leagues - and kabaddi are other sports on the platform.

The Kolkata-based firm recently ran a competition asking participants to refer their friends to the platform. The winners were invited to a meet and greet event with the Universe Boss in Mumbai.