Would you play fantasy league without real money?

Would you still play #FantasyLeague if there was no real #Money involved?
I asked this question to a friend, a few months back, who is deeply into fantasy sports. His response surprised me:
“Of course! I don’t play for the money, I play for the #thrill of getting my #predictions right.”

With the recent ban on #RealMoneyGaming (RMG), this shift in mindset could define the future of such apps.
Instead of focusing only on cash rewards, these platforms can:
- Create mini #competitions (city → state → national leagues).
- Build expert #communities where fans exchange strategies and insights.
- Celebrate #leaderboards, badges, and recognition to give people the same “kick” without money involved.

But here’s the challenge: without direct money in the mix, business models will have to evolve. Most likely:
- Investors' money would dry down, so the profits
- Ad-driven revenues (sponsorships, brand tie-ups) need to be explored
- Community-led monetisation (exclusive content, premium fan clubs, meets)
- Gamified engagement (treating fantasy leagues more like #eSports than gambling).
Done right, this could help apps build credibility, shifting the narrative from “betting” to “skill + fandom.”

Do you think fantasy sports apps can survive and thrive without real money in the picture?