An Indian police officer named Somnath Zende was suspended from his service after winning 15 million Indian rupees ($180,310) on the fantasy sports platform, Dream 11.
Zende, a police sub-inspector in Maharashtra's Pune district, faced suspension for allegedly violating the police code of conduct.
While the department claimed he played the game without permission and gave media interviews in uniform, Zende denied the allegations.
He's due to face a departmental inquiry regarding the matter.
He started playing games on Dream 11 last month and won the substantial prize on October 10 during a game related to the Cricket World Cup in India.
Dream 11 classifies itself as a "game of skill" and cites a 2021 Supreme Court ruling, asserting its exemption from India's gambling laws.
Gambling is generally illegal in India, but some in the gaming industry argue that skill-based games like Dream 11 differ from traditional gambling.
The app allows users over the age of 18 to create virtual teams for sports like cricket, hockey, football, and basketball using real-life players' names which earns them points based on their actual performances.
Zende's media interviews in his police uniform raised concerns about the image of the state's police force. A worker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Zende of betting while on duty, describing it as a "dereliction of duty."
However, the suspended police official refuted these allegations and stated that many people play the game, which he views as a sport rather than gambling.
He intended to use his winnings to pay off a housing loan and create fixed deposit accounts for his children.
At his departmental inquiry, he will present his case.
