KOCHI: On most platforms, the games are played for free while the official versions offer big prizes for winners. In some apps, you can select the team and join the fantasy leagues as well, with entry fee ranging from Rs 13 to Rs 20,000 per game.
“Money is always a lure. The ultimate aim, obviously, is to finish on top of the pile. It was fascinating to read about the boy who won the recent IPL fantasy league. We've seen small groups arranging prizes in the form of gifts and prize money, which is a good thing. It'll make sure that nobody walks home empty-handed at the end of the game,” said Nujum from Thiruvananthapuram.
A recent court order which observed fantasy sports is not gambling and requires a great amount of skill, saw the platforms go for aggressive marketing, resulting in a surge in the participants' number.
Meanwhile, cyber security expert and Data Security Council of India member Manu P Zacharia said unless anyone reports any wrongdoing or officially lodges a complaint, the cyber force cannot take action against the fantasy game platforms.
“They've their own privacy policies and terms and conditions, to which the player agrees at the time of signing in,” said Zacharia.