Tag: online gaming industry in india

  • Real Money Gaming Ban Forces Head Digital Works (A23 Parent) to Lay Off 500 Staff

    The parent company of online gaming platform A23, Head Digital Works, is cutting off over 500 workers, following in the footsteps of MPL, PokerBaazi, and Games24x7. According to Storyboard18, the company is keeping about 200 workers while laying off roughly two-thirds of its workforce. This declaration was delivered by Head Digital Works at a town hall meeting on 5 September.

    Head Digital Works CEO Siddharth Sharma told media outlets in a statement that the company would give affected employees severance pay. According to Sharma, Head Digital Works’ employees have been essential to the company’s expansion, and the company carefully considered its options before deciding to let go of a sizable portion of its workforce. The business will make sure that this shift is managed responsibly, offering people affected significant support and severance, and the brand will continue to be appreciative of their contributions.

    Brand Exploring New Business Model for Future Growth

    Sharma stated that the company is now examining several business models for its future while outlining its intentions for future expansion. “We are certain that a balanced framework will develop over time, and we are still dedicated to creating a robust future and investigating new prospects for the business, even though recent legislative developments made this action necessary,” Sharma stated.

    The company’s real money gaming (RMG) business has abruptly shut down due to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu on August 22. In the Karnataka High Court, Head Digital Works has contested the act that outlawed RMG.

    Head Digital Works, which was founded in 2005, claimed to have over 70 million users and provided a number of real money games, including A23 Rummy, A23 Poker, and Cricket.com. However, following the Online Gaming Bill’s passage in Parliament, it was forced to stop offering real money games.

    Industry-Wide Impact: MPL, PokerBaazi, Games24x7, and More

    The new act has stopped the RMG business as a whole, not just Head Digital Works. Startups are switching to new models and firing staff in order to adapt to the new business reality after closing their real money games. Games24x7 has begun cutting staff, while Mobile Premier League intends to lay off over 60% of its employees in India.

    Moonshine Technology, which ran PokerBaazi and was backed by Nazara Technologies, has also begun firing staff members. Others, such as Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, have refocused on growing FanCode, their sports streaming service, and looking for opportunities in the AI market. Now offering its real money games in other countries like the US, WinZO has ventured into the microdrama space.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs announced at a town hall on
    September 5, 2025.

    •Ban on real money gaming (RMG) under
    the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

    •Employees will receive severance
    packages and transition support.

    •Company exploring new business models
    for future growth despite RMG ban.

  • Delhi High Court Urges Centre to Form Authority, Frame Rules for New Gaming Law

    In order for the recently passed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act to be effective, the Delhi High Court ordered the Centre on 2 September to establish an authority and publish the regulations. On a suit contesting the new online gaming law, a bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued the rulings.

    The Act, which was approved by Parliament on August 21, encourages e-sports in addition to “safe online social and educational games” and outlaws all types of online money games.

    The judges pointed out that the Centre had not yet established a body to supervise the law’s application. “Until you constitute the authority and promulgate the rules, you will not be able to work on the act,” the court stated. After eight weeks, the matter was scheduled for hearing.

    Sharing his views on the development, Kamal Karanth, Co-Founder Xpheno- A specialist Staffing Firm stated, “While the focus and buzz has been on real money gaming (RMG), it is important to note that most gaming enterprises operate across three verticals—RMG, social gaming, and eSports. The skills and talent deployed across these lines are highly adjacent and transferable. This adjacency provides a talent agility which has helped the sector remain resilient despite regulatory uncertainties.”

    “Gaming tech skills—ranging from AR/VR and app development to AI and immersive design—are not just central to gaming but are also critical to emerging sectors like fintech, edtech, and healthtech. The potential is hence high for redeployment and absorption of talent within the enterprise or within gaming and other adjacent sectors,” he added.

    Argument in the Court

    The government is now establishing an authority under the Act, according to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who spoke on behalf of the Centre during a brief session. According to him, the Central Government is now creating regulations and establishing its authority. Although online gaming is encouraged by the government, youngsters who play for real money become addicted and commit suicide.

    The online carrom game platform Bagheera Carrom (OPC) Private Limited filed the petition, arguing that the new law was enacted in excessive haste and without adequate stakeholder participation, violating fundamental rights. The new rule, according to the petition, indiscriminately prohibits all online real-money games, regardless of whether they are skill-based or chance-based.

    Already, Many Players Shutting Real Money Gaming From System

    Shortly after the Indian government’s online gaming bill was approved by both Houses of Parliament, India’s leading real money gaming (RMG) companies, including Dream11 parent company Dream Sports, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Zupee, and Nazara-backed PokerBaazi, started to stop holding money-related competitions and games on their platforms.

    The measure forbids online money games, which are those in which players deposit money either directly or indirectly in the hopes of winning.

    All ‘Pay to Play’ competitions on Dream Picks, a newly released fantasy sports app that allows users to create four-player teams and compete in both innings, have been suspended by Dream Sports. Additionally, Dream Play, the company’s casual RMG app, is being discontinued.

    Wave of Layoffs in the Indian Online Gaming Sector

    The Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of the largest gaming businesses in India, has announced significant employment layoffs as a result of the country’s decision to ban paid online games. Reuters reports that the Bengaluru-based startup will lay off roughly 300 employees, or 60% of its India workforce, because the new rule eliminates revenue from its primary fantasy and card gaming business.

    Moonshine Technology, which was supported by Nazara Technologies and ran PokerBaazi, began firing its staff. According to sources who spoke to several media sites, the business has begun to lay off workers, with up to 50% of its personnel potentially affected.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Delhi High Court directs Centre to
    constitute an authority and frame rules for the new Promotion and Regulation
    of Online Gaming Act.

    •Act, passed on August 21, promotes
    e-sports and safe social/educational games but bans all real-money online
    games.

    •Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar
    Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stressed law cannot function without
    rules and authority.

    •Government assured it is working on
    setting up the authority and framing regulations.

     

  • MPL- How is it Dominating the E-Sports Space in India?

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organisations.

    As per a KPMG report published in 2019, over 300 million people in India play online games. Though online real-money gaming entered India just a decade ago, it has become quite popular among the Indians the primary reason being that the players can earn money and rewards while playing games. There are over 100 companies operating in the real-money gaming sector in India, and one of the most popular platforms for real-money gaming is MPL (Mobile Premier League). Founded in 2018, MPL is India’s largest mobile e-sports platform. Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra founded MPL.

    MPL was last valued at $2.45 billion and is hailed as the 26th unicorn startup of 2021, and the second Indian unicorn online gaming startup to cross the 1 billion dollar mark, as of October 2021.

    This post takes a deep dive into MPL’s success story, founders, history, business model, valuation, revenue, funding, founders, competitors, growth, logo, and much more.

    MPL Company Highlights

    Startup Name Mobile Premier League (MPL)
    Headquarters Bengaluru
    Founders Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra
    Sector E-Sports and Gaming
    Founded 2018
    Parent Organization Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited
    Valuation $2.19 billion (as of December 2024)
    Website mpl.live

    About MPL
    MPL – Industry
    MPL – Founders/Owners and Team
    MPL – Name, Tagline, and Logo
    MPL – Business and Revenue Model
    MPL – Growth and Revenue
    MPL – Financials
    MPL – Partnerships
    MPL – Funding and Investors
    MPL – Shareholders
    MPL – Acquisitions
    MPL – Investments
    MPL – ESOPs
    MPL – Awards and Recognitions
    MPL – LayOffs
    MPL – Challenges
    MPL – Competitors
    MPL – Future Plans

    About MPL

    Virat Kohli-MPL Pro
    Virat Kohli-MPL

    Mobile Premier League, or MPL, is an online gaming platform based out of Bengaluru, India. Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra are the founders of the company. MPL provides an abundant pool of games such as chess, quiz, fantasy sports, free fire, rummy, 8 ball 3D pool, carrom, ludo, and more. The Mobile Premier League games are distributed into categories like fantasy sports, card games, puzzle games, arcade games, action games, and more

    The company renders real cash rewards to those who win in these online games. With various offers that float on the platform and 24/7 support from the MPL team, mobile game lovers are inclined towards MPL. Mobile Premier League also provides the option of connecting with friends and offers a bonus for referring others to play on MPL. The Indian e-gaming platform has more than 60 online games, which can be accessed via its mobile application that is compatible with both Android and iOS phones.

    Founded in September 2018, MPL company has seen rapid growth and is currently serving over 90 million users in India.


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    MPL – Industry

    The market of online fantasy games in India is expanding tremendously – over 100 million users in India joined numerous fantasy gaming platforms in 2020 alone. These online fantasy gaming platforms like MPL have been currently engaging 14% of all smartphone users in the country. The revenues from online gaming in India jumped 3X in a year and were last recorded at INR 16,428 crore in 2023.

    The fantasy sports market in India is expected to grow at a rate of 20.88% from FY2024 to FY2031. It is projected to increase from USD 751 million in FY2023 to USD 3423.54 million by FY2031. The market has been growing fast in recent years and is expected to continue expanding strongly. Needless to say, MPL also has a huge opportunity in this market in the upcoming years in India.

    Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited is the parent company of MPL. Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited is a private company incorporated on May 22, 2018. It is classified as a ‘subsidiary of the foreign company’ and is registered at the Registrar of Companies, Bangalore. Galactus Funware Technology offers a wide range of game applications, tournaments, cash rewards, and other related services.

    Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited is currently focusing on Mobile Premier League, which is currently operating as a digital gaming platform.

    MPL – Founders/Owners and Team

    MPL was founded by Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra in September 2018.

    Shubham Malhotra and Sai Srinivas Kiran (Founders of MPL)

    Prior to MPL, Sai and Shubham co-founded CREO (a technology company) in 2014. CREO was acquired by Hike Messenger in 2017.

    Sai Srinivas Kiran G (Co-Founder and CEO)

    MPL CEO Sai Srinivas did his B.Tech from IIT Kanpur in Aeronautical Engineering. Soon after completing his graduation, he started working at a gaming firm, Zynga, where he was an Associate Product Manager. He then joined BSB – Bharti Softbank as the Director of Product, leaving which, he co-founded CREO Tech, where he was also appointed as the CEO. However, CREO was soon acquired by Hike Messenger, where he later served as the Head of Total. Srinivas then decided to venture into the mobile e-sports sector, when he co-founded MPL. Sai also co-founded Base9, a company that organized and promoted live events across India in 2009.

    Shubham Malhotra (Co-Founder)

    MPL co-founder Shubham Malhotra did his BE in Electronics and Instrumentation from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science(BITS), Pilani. He initially worked as the Co-founder and CTO of Capillary Technologies, a technology service provider, before moving on to co-found CREO, where he again served as the Co-founder and CTO. He continued to stay with Hike Messenger as the Head of Engineering at Total by Hike even after it acquired CREO. Shubham then decided to found MPL with his CREO co-founder, Sai Srinivas.

    MPL amended its reward policy for employees and made it a reward for teams. This all-new reward system for teams, which it has introduced, will reward teams for their performance and targets achieved instead of rewarding employees, as per June 20, 2022. In terms of its employee salaries, MPL has merged the fixed and variable components of their salaries.

    The name ‘Mobile Premier League’ depicts the finest collection of games that can be accessed through mobile phones. The tagline of MPL was initially ‘Play.Compete.Win’. MPL now uses ‘Game Khelo Hero Bano’ as its tagline.

    MPL Logo
    MPL Logo

    MPL – Business and Revenue Model

    MPL’s business model revolves around the app that it offers its users. There are several ways in which MPL makes money. It collects an entry fee from the players whenever they want to participate in any game. When the company holds tournaments, it receives 20% of the total money raised from the participating players as a hosting fee. MPL’s gaming apps also make money through advertisements and in-app purchases. MPL’s business model has aided in its success.

    “We already have multiple different forms of monetization that we are looking at, and are working for us. However, we are looking at one of these becoming a long-term source of monetization, while keeping the high level of engagement,” says Sai Srinivas Kiran, Co-founder of MPL, commenting on the monetization plans of the company.

    MPL – Growth and Revenue

    MPL boasts of having more than 90 million users in India alone and 60+ games. The company is a member of AIGF (All India Gaming Federation), FICCI, IAMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India), and TRF (The Rummy Federation).

    Some other growth highlights of MPL are as follows:

    Mayhem Studios

    Mayhem Studios is launched by MPL in May 2022 to develop ‘AAA’ mobile games for domestic and global markets. ESports along with MPL launched this gaming studio, which revealed its first gaming title called “Underworld Gang Wars”.

    MPL – Financials

    MPL Financials FY23 FY24
    Total Operating Revenue INR 873.7 cr INR 1,068 cr
    Total Expenses INR 1,365.7 cr INR 1,393.2 cr
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 309.3 cr Loss of INR 374.9 cr
    MPL Financials
    MPL Financials

    Operating revenue for MPL India surged 22.2% to INR 1,068 crore in FY24 from INR 873.7 crore in FY23. The business backed by Peak XV Partners increased its total expenses by 2% to INR 1,393.2 crore. Their losses all saw an increase from INR 309.3 crore in FY23 to INR 374.9 crore in FY24.

    MPL – Partnerships

    Here is a list of the prominent MPL partnerships:

    • Mobile Premier League, a leading eSports and gaming platform, has partnered with GameDuell to expand its presence in global markets.
    • MPL partnered with the hyper-casual developers and publishers, Voodoo to launch Helix Jump and Color Road
    • The company partnered with Prime Focus Technologies for content creation
    • MPL has already partnered with BCCI as the kit sponsor and official merchandise partner
    • MPL has partnered with the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) as the sponsor of the Indian team
    • MPL has collaborated with established as well as independent game developers from across India

    MPL – Funding and Investors

    MPL’s total funding stands at $375.5 million. The last round that the company raised was the Series E funding round worth $150 mn, dated September 15, 2021, and was led by Legatum.

    In the Series D round held in February 2021, MPL raised funding of $95 million. The round was led by Composite Capital and Moore Strategic Ventures and funding participation was also seen from Base Partners, RTP Global, SIG, Go-Ventures, Telstra Ventures, Founders circle and Play Ventures. The round before that was the Series C round held on September 21, 2020, where MPL raised $90 million from SIG, RTP Global, MDI Ventures, and Pegasus Tech Ventures. MPL’s existing investors, Sequoia Capital India, Go-Ventures, and Base Partners also participated in the round.

    The company’s valuation stands at $2.19 billion, as of December 2024.

    Date Stage Amount Lead Investors
    September 15, 2021 Series E $150 million Legatum
    February 4, 2021 Series D $95 million Composite Capital and Moore Strategic Ventures, RTP Global, SIG, Go-Ventures, Telstra Ventures, Founders circle and Play Ventures
    September 21, 2020 Series C $90 million SIG, RTP Global, MDI Ventures, Pegasus Tech Ventures
    April 24, 2019 Series A $35.5 million Sequoia Capital India, BEENEXT, RTP Global, Venture Highway, Times Internet
    November 8, 2018 Seed Round $5 million Sequoia Capital

    MPL – Shareholders

    MPL shareholding as of August 2023 (source: Tracxn):

    MPL Shareholders Percentage
    Sai Srinivas Kiran Garimella 11.6%
    Base Partners 2.3%
    Sequoia Capital 21.7%
    SIG 10.5%
    VGames 7.2%
    MDI Ventures 3.7%
    RTP Global 3.3%
    Gojek 1.6%
    Angel 11.7%
    ESOP Pool 11.2%
    Others 15.2%
    MPL Shareholding
    MPL Shareholding

    MPL – Acquisitions

    MPL has acquired 3 companies to date. GameDuell, the German Game Studio, was the last company acquired by MPL on February 28, 2022. This acquisition will help MPL, one of the most renowned esports and skill gaming platforms, to extend its operations across international markets. MPL is currently present in Europe, Asia, and North America. Here the partnership with GameDuell, the Berlin-based game studio that is the global pioneer in community card and board games, will help MPL get extensive experience in developing multiplayer games like action arcade, board, and puzzle games.

    Mobile Premier League previously acquired GamingMonk and Crevise Technologies.

    Companies Acquired Date Deal Value
    GameDuell February 28, 2022
    GamingMonk April 20, 2021
    Crevise Technologies May 8, 2019

    MPL – Investments

    MPL has invested in 1 company to date, which goes by the name IndiGG.

    Date Company Funding Round Deal Value Lead Investor
    January 19, 2022 IndiGG Seed Round $6 mn

    MPL – ESOPs

    MPL announced an ESOP buyback plan in September 2020, which was worth $3.2 mn for its employees, during the Series C round of funding. The company raised $500,000 from its existing employees in January 2021 under its Employee Investment Plan, where 10% of the MPL employees reportedly participated.

    MPL made a few changes to its ESOP as well as its employee pay structure, as reported on June 20, 2022. In its ESOP part, MPL has reduced its ESOP vesting period, from a few years to some months. The company further mentioned that previously its employees were granted ESOPs at the end of a cliff period, which was after the completion of a year. At the conclusion of this cliff period, the employees of MPL got the first batch of ESOPs, and it was only in the next year that the company granted them the next batch of ESOPs. This policy was amended and made into one such structure where the employees can vest ESOPs immediately. Also, the updated ESOP policy of MPL has widened the period of availing ESOPs for employees who are exiting the company. While the previous policy allowed the parting employees to avail of their ESOPs for 30 days, now MPL will allow them an allowance of 10 years time from the vesting date.


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    MPL – Awards and Recognitions

    Some of the major awards and recognitions received by MPL to date are:

    • MPL was recognized as the ‘Best Fantasy Sports Operator’ in the year 2019 by the India Gaming Awards.
    • The company replaced Nike to become the official kit sponsor and the merchandise partner of both the national men’s and women’s sides as well as the U-19 team, as announced by the BCCI (the Board of Control for Cricket in India)
    • MPL won the India CSR Leadership Award in 2021
    • Mobile Premier League is known as India’s second gaming unicorn
    • With over 60 games, Mobile Premier League (MPL) is currently India’s largest eSports and mobile gaming platform

    MPL – LayOffs

    MPL laid off around 100 employees on May 30, 2022. This way the company parted with 10% of its workforce. The number of people impacted can also be higher, as per the reports from sources on request for anonymity. However, it is also known that the employees affected by this layoff will receive complete severance along with other benefits.

    Besides, the employees who held ESOPs in the company will also have an option to hold on to their ESOPs for the upcoming decade. Numerous Indian late-stage startups from various industries have already laid off their employees, like Meesho, CarDekho, Ola, Unacademy, mFine, Vedantu, etc., but the challenges that the Indian startups are facing become prominent when real gaming startups like MPL also had to lay off their employees. FrontRow, on the same day, laid off 30% of its workforce.

    Though many startups like the ones mentioned above have performed their own layoffs, the gaming industry surely had better money-making luck. It is important to note that two of the top ten profitable companies among the unicorn companies of India that have successfully kept their valuations intact in the past few weeks are Games 24×7 and Dream11.

    MPL (Mobile Premier League), following the decision by the GST Council to maintain a 28% tax on online real-money games, has taken the unfortunate step of laying off 350 employees in August 2023.

    “Last week, it was confirmed that a 28% GST will be levied on the full deposit value rather than on Gross Gaming Revenue. The new rules will increase our tax burden by as much as 350-400%. As a business, we can prepare for a 50% or even 100%increase, but adjusting to a sudden increase of this magnitude means we need to make some very tough decisions,” In an email addressed to the company’s employees, Srinivas, the founder and CEO of MPL, conveyed his message.

    MPL – Challenges

    Throughout the years since its launch, MPL has undergone numerous challenges. Establishing itself in the competitive industry of online and fantasy gaming is an unbelievable feat in itself, and it challenges the company continually.

    Rollbacks

    Along with announcing the 10% workforce layoff, MPL has also announced the rollback of its Indonesia operations. MPL has also stated that it will be doing away with the streaming product on its MPL app.

    Karnataka banned MPL and other Online Fantasy Games

    Mobile Premier League, Paytm First Games, and RummyCircle-like mobile gaming platforms that deal with real money had to suspend their services in Karnataka following the enactment of the state legislation that prohibited money wagering and betting in online games on October 5, 2021.

    Apps like MPL and others were previously ruled as “games of skill” by one too many courts of India. However, this law, which is declared as a part of an amendment of the Karnataka Police Act, was enacted to ban all forms of online gambling and betting platforms. The offenders of the law, as announced on Tuesday, will henceforth be subjected to a maximum imprisonment of 3 years or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

    Soon after the law came into effect, MPL’s services were suspended in Karnataka on Wednesday, where the users of MPL are now greeted with the message, “Sorry! The law in your state does not permit you to play Fantasy sports” if they open the app. Though RummyCircle and Nazara’s HalaPlay had also updated their respective messages to inform their users regarding the ban of their services in the state, Dream11 still ran smoothly on October 6th, and it is still unclear whether they too have suspended their services.

    MPL – Competitors

    • Dream11
    • Cricnwin
    • LXG
    • NODWIN Gaming
    • FanFight

    Dream11 Success Story – India’s Best Fantasy Gaming App | Startup Story | Funding | Founder | Revenue
    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information
    on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been
    approved by the organization it is based on. Fantasy sport is what most young sports lovers today are crazy about. With
    fantasy sport, sports l…


    Mobile Premier League Following the decision by the GST Council to maintain a 28% tax on online real-money games, the company has taken the unfortunate step of laying off 350 employees in August 2023.

    Srinivas explained that the firm’s major variable costs encompass people, servers, and office infrastructure. He emphasised that in order to ensure survival and maintain business viability, it is imperative to reduce these expenditures.

    “Last week, it was confirmed that a 28% GST will be levied on the full deposit value rather than on Gross Gaming Revenue. The new rules will increase our tax burden by as much as 350-400%. As a business, we can prepare for a 50% or even 100% increase, but adjusting to a sudden increase of this magnitude means we need to make some very tough decisions,” In an email addressed to the company’s employees, Srinivas, the founder and CEO of MPL, conveyed his message.

    MPL – Future Plans

    MPL plans to grow by attracting more users and expanding into new markets. They will add more popular games to attract a wider audience and improve the platform to make it easier to use and more fun to play. They want to build a strong gaming community where players can learn and compete. To go global, they plan to enter new markets and partner with local organizers for events. MPL will also work with game developers to improve the platform and collaborate with sponsors to grow the business. They will invest in research to create new gaming experiences and stay updated with gaming trends.

    FAQs

    Who is MPL founder?

    Galactus Funware Technology Pvt Ltd. is the parent company of MPL. MPL was co-founded by Sai Srinivas Kiran and Shubham Malhotra.

    Who is the CEO of MPL?

    Sai Srinivas Kiran G is the co-founder and CEO of MPL.

    MPL is which country’s app?

    Mobile Premier League (also known as MPL) is a mobile e-sports platform based in India. The unicorn startup is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka.

    What is MPL business model?

    MPL’s business model is based on real-money gaming, where users pay entry fees to participate in tournaments. It earns through in-app purchases, ads, and partnerships with game developers and sponsors.

    How does MPL make money?

    MPL makes money through entry fees for tournaments, in-app purchases, ads, and partnerships with game developers and sponsors.

    Who is MPL Parent Company?

    Galactus Funware Technology Pvt. Ltd. is a private company incorporated on 22 May 2018. It is classified as a ‘subsidiary of foreign company’ and is registered at the Registrar of Companies, Bangalore.

    When was the Mobile Premier League founded?

    The Mobile Premier League was founded in 2018.

    How much money does MPL give?

    For a simple game on MPL, the average entry fee is around INR 15 and you can win around INR 200 from it. You can also earn money by referring MPL’s games to your friends.

    MPL app is an e-sports platform and has always been legal in India. However, according to the recent enactment of the state legislation, which banned money wagering and betting, online fantasy gaming apps like MPL, Paytm First Games, RummyCircle, and more was illegalized in the Indian state of Karnataka, as reported on October 5, 2021.

    Is MPL KYC Safe?

    MPL is certified by Master Card and Visa as a secure platform.

    What are the Mobile Premier League games?

    The Mobile Premier League games can be categorised into fantasy sports, card games, arcade games, action games and more.

    What is MPL valuation?

    MPL was valued at $2.3 billion in 2021.

    What is MPL launch date?

    MPL was founded in 2018.

  • Top 10 Gaming Startups in India | Best Indian Gaming Companies in 2023

    The digital revolution has fueled the gaming industry of India tremendously, transforming the nation into a bustling hub for game development and innovation. It was further pushed by the startup culture in which the Indian business world itself thrived. By 2019, the number of people who play online games in India crossed 300 million and it is increasing over the years.

    It is expected that by 2025 global gaming market is expected to exceed $256.97 billion. As the internet became cheaper and widely accessible, the number of online gamers increased. A large number of gamers from tier 1 and tier 2 cities were added to it.

    Driven by the exponential growth of internet users, increased smartphone penetration, and the rise of esports, the gaming landscape in India has evolved into an enchanting realm of opportunities for both players and entrepreneurs.

    As the industry continues to gain momentum, a new generation of visionary startups has emerged, reshaping the gaming landscape and captivating the hearts of millions of gamers across the nation. From mobile gaming sensations to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, these gaming startups have demonstrated their mettle in the highly competitive arena, setting new benchmarks for creativity, technology, and user engagement.

    In this blog, we’ll delve into the captivating narratives of trailblazers who dared to dream big and turned their passion for gaming into thriving ventures. So buckle up, and let’s dive into the exhilarating world of the top gaming startups in India!

    Top Gaming Startups in India

    1. Dream11
    2. Nazara Technologies
    3. Paytm First Games
    4. Games2Win
    5. Moonfrog Labs
    6. 99 Games
    7. Octro
    8. JetSynthesys
    9. Hashcube
    10. Mech Mocha

    Revenue Earnings by Indian Gaming Companies

    Dream11

    Website www.dream11.com
    Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Founders Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth
    Founded 2008

    Dream 11 - Top gaming startups in India
    Dream 11 – Top gaming startups in India

    Established in 2008, Dream11 stands as one of top gaming startups in India, revolutionizing the gaming landscape by introducing sports enthusiasts to a thrilling world of fantasy sports. Catering to a wide array of sports, including cricket, kabaddi, football, basketball, and hockey, the platform has garnered immense popularity among fans looking to immerse themselves in their favorite games.

    Dream11 achieved an extraordinary milestone in 2019 by becoming the first gaming startup to attain unicorn status. In a monumental move, Dream11 secured the coveted title sponsorship for the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in August 2020. Since its inception, this gaming giant has set unprecedented milestones, establishing itself as the pinnacle of success and influence in India’s gaming landscape.


    List of 105 Unicorn Startups in India | Top Unicorns in India
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    Nazara Technologies

    Website www.nazara.com
    Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Founders Nitish Mittersain
    Founded 1999

    Nazara Technologies - Indian gaming company
    Nazara Technologies – Indian gaming company

    Founded in 2000, Nazara Technologies has emerged as a leading force in India’s gaming industry, making significant strides in transforming the gaming landscape across the nation. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the Indian gaming market, Nazara has captivated the hearts of millions, redefining how players experience and engage with digital entertainment.

    It is boasting diverse segments such as subscription, freemium, e-sports, and skill-based gaming. With a global reach spanning over 64 countries, the company has been on a steady trajectory of growth, continuously expanding its influence and services worldwide. Over the years, the company has successfully acquired several prominent entities like NODWIN Gaming and Sportskeeda, solidifying its position as a key player in the gaming ecosystem and broadening its offerings to cater to a vast array of gaming enthusiasts. Today, Nazara Technologies stands tall with an impressive user base of over 100 million, a testament to the immersive and engaging gaming experiences it delivers to players worldwide.


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    Paytm First Games

    Website www.firstgames.in
    Headquarters Noida, Uttar Pradesh
    Founders Vijay Shekhar Sharma
    Founded 2018

    Paytm First Games - Top gaming company in India
    Paytm First Games – Top gaming startups in India

    Paytm First Games, a dynamic venture by Paytm, one of India’s leading digital payment platforms, has taken the nation by storm with its captivating and rewarding gaming experience. Launched as a part of Paytm’s ecosystem, this innovative platform brings together entertainment and gaming, offering players an opportunity to indulge in a diverse array of games while earning exciting rewards.

    Since its inception, Paytm First Games has emerged as a prominent player in India’s gaming industry, catering to an extensive user base with a wide variety of gaming options. From casual games to esports tournaments, the platform offers something for every gaming enthusiast, making it an all-encompassing destination for players of all ages and interests.

    It caters to a wide variety of games and has over 45 million players on board. From their launch in 2018, today they have reached their zenith as e-gaming witnesses its boom in the industry.


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    Games2Win

    Website www.games2winmedia.com
    Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Founders Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone
    Founded 2005

    Games2Win - Top gaming platform in India
    Games2Win – Top gaming startups in India

    Since its inception, Games2Win has remained at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, captivating players worldwide with its innovative and engaging offerings. Established in 2005 by Alok Kejriwal and Mahesh Khambadkone, this dynamic gaming company has become synonymous with top-notch gaming experiences, entertaining millions across the globe. From casual and arcade-style games to simulation and sports titles, the platform caters to a broad spectrum of gaming enthusiasts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

    They offer ads and social networks for games apart from being a traditional gaming platform. They have over 15 million users every month. Their games are available across Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon.


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    Moonfrog Labs

    Website www.moonfroglabs.com
    Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka
    Founders Tanay Tayal, Kumar Puspesh, and Ankit Jain
    Founded 2013

    Moonfrog Labs - online gaming startups in India
    Moonfrog Labs – Top gaming startups in India

    Moonfrog Labs, an online gaming startup, came into being through the collective efforts of a close-knit group of friends who were once colleagues back in 2013. Their passion and perseverance fueled the creation of a card-based game called “Teen Patti Gold,” which garnered instant acclaim, amassing an impressive 20 million downloads right from its inception.

    Building upon this early success, Moonfrog Labs continued to push the boundaries of gaming innovation. Introducing a game centered around the beloved Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, they marked India’s first-ever narrative adventure gaming experience.

    They further expanded their creative repertoire, introducing India’s first war strategy game, inspired by the blockbuster movie “Baahubali.” This strategic masterpiece took players on a thrilling journey through epic battles and commanding armies, allowing them to relive the grandeur of the beloved film. With each new venture, Moonfrog Labs solidified its reputation as an innovative and trendsetting force within the gaming industry.


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    99 Games

    Website www.99games.in
    Headquarters Udupi, Karnataka
    Founders Rohith Bhat
    Founded 2006

    99 Games - Top gaming startups in India
    99 Games – Top gaming startups in India

    99 Games is a Udupi-based game company that was launched in 2008 by Rohit Bhat. Their first game Wordsworth became a hit with more than 1 million downloads among Apple users. From developing casual games for iOS, today they have expanded to Windows and Android.

    In 2013, they came across a great opportunity to develop a game based on a Bollywood movie – Dhoom 3.  The success it garnered opened numerous opportunities for 99Games. They subsequently developed 20 more such games. Two of them were based on movies like Fan and Sultan.

    Octro

    Website www.octro.com
    Headquarters New Delhi
    Founders Saurabh Agarwal
    Founded 2006

    Octro - gaming startups in India
    Octro – Top gaming startups in India

    Octro has emerged as a trailblazing force in India’s gaming industry, captivating players with its innovative and immersive gaming experiences. The mastermind behind the famous games Indian Rummy and Tambola House was launched in the year 2006. They introduced the concept of productivity along with gaming in India. Their games are available in various forms and are tailor-made to fit both mobile phones and tablets. Hailing from Delhi, this gaming company’s innovative approach caught the attention of industry giants, and in 2014, they secured an impressive $15 million in funding from Sequoia Capital.


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    JetSynthesys

    Website www.jetsynthesys.com
    Headquarters Pune, Maharashtra
    Founders Rajan Navani
    Founded 2014

    JetSynthesys - Top game development company in India
    JetSynthesys – Top gaming startups in India

    Established in 2014 by Rajan Navani, JetSynthesys is a prominent game development company, operating under the umbrella of the esteemed Jet Line Group. With a diversified presence in fields like fintech and digital media, the Jet Line Group has earned a reputable brand status across various industries.

    JetSynthesys is hailed as a pioneer in the realm of celebrity-based gaming experiences, where they have left an indelible mark. Among their remarkable portfolio, standouts include games like “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions,” “Being Salman,” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan.” These celebrity-inspired titles have successfully captivated players, offering an immersive and unique gaming journey.

    The company has ventured into newer avenues of gaming, including the realm of virtual reality (VR) games. Demonstrating their pioneering spirit, they have already unveiled the VR version of their acclaimed “Sachin Saga Cricket Champions” game, further enriching the gaming experience for players.


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    Hashcube

    Website www.hashcube.com
    Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka
    Founders Ramprasad Rajendran and Deepan Chakravarthy
    Founded 2008

    Hashcube - Top gaming company in India
    Hashcube – Top gaming startups in India

    From being a simple website that lets users play sudoku online, Hashcube has developed into one of the top gaming startups in India. Co-founded by Deepan Chakravarthy and Ramprasad Rajendra in 2008, the company’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

    Today, Hashcube boasts an impressive range of games, accessible through the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or Facebook, catering to a diverse audience. Among their standout creations are engaging titles such as “Sudoku Quest,” “Gummy Pop,” and “DotGame.” However, it is their “Sudoku Quest” that has garnered widespread acclaim, resonating with over 2 million players, making it one of the most popular game sensations to emerge from India.


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    Mech Mocha

    Website www.mechmocha.com
    Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka
    Founders Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju
    Founded 2015

    Mech Mocha - Top gaming startups in India
    Mech Mocha – Top gaming startups in India

    Mech Mocha was founded by Arpita Kapoor and Mohit Rangaraju in 2015. Their aim was to make gaming accessible and comprehensible in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

    They have a variety of games like Ludo, carrom, cricket and knife rain to their credit. They have created a vernacular gaming platform for their users. Their mobile app is called Hello Play. Their growth has been so commendable that they have attracted investors like Accel, Blume Ventures, Shuwei Capital etc. The Indian Gaming startup was acquired by Flipkart in 2020.

    Other Indian Gaming Startups

    Some other gaming startups in India are:

    • PlaySimple Games
    • Rolocule
    • Zapak
    • Deftouch
    • Gameberry Labs

    Conclusion

    As we conclude our exploration of the top gaming startups in India, one thing becomes abundantly clear – the gaming industry in the country is thriving, and its potential knows no bounds. These visionary startups have harnessed the power of technology, creativity, and passion to craft exceptional gaming experiences that have resonated with players worldwide. Embrace the gaming revolution, and let the joy and excitement of these top gaming startups take you on a thrilling journey like never before!

    FAQs

    How many gaming companies are there in India?

    According to Ambitionbox, there are over 333 gaming companies in India.

    Which are the top Gaming Startups in India?

    Top Gaming startups in India are:

    • Dream 11
    • Nazara Technologies
    • Paytm First Games
    • Games2Win
    • Moonfrog Labs
    • 99 Games
    • Octro
    • JetSynthesys
    • Hashcube
    • Mech Mocha

    How are gaming startups contributing to India’s gaming industry?

    Gaming startups in India are playing a crucial role in shaping the gaming landscape by introducing unique and culturally relevant gaming experiences. They are fueling innovation, creating employment opportunities, and establishing India as a significant player in the global gaming market.

    Which is the leading Game app development company in India?

    Hyperlink InfoSystem is a leading game app development company in India.

    Which gaming startup in India has achieved unicorn status?

    Dream11 is one of the gaming startups in India that achieved unicorn status in 2019.

    What are the best game developer company in the world?

    Some of the best game developer companies in the world are:

    • Nintendo
    • Ubisoft
    • Sony Interactive Entertainment
    • Activision Blizzard
    • Epic Games

    How do gaming startups monetize their games?

    Gaming startups typically employ various monetization models, including in-app purchases, advertisements, subscriptions, and virtual currency systems. These strategies enable them to generate revenue while offering players free or freemium gaming experiences.

    What is the future of the gaming industry in India?

    The future for gaming startups in India is promising, with continued growth driven by technology adoption, an expanding user base, and the rise of esports. These startups are poised to explore new genres, embrace emerging technologies, and make India a significant player in the global gaming industry.

  • PokerDangal – India’s Largest Online Poker Gaming Platform

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by PokerDangal.

    One great aspect of digitization is the fascinating online games that are taking on the world at a skyrocketing speed. It’s literally like being in this global village of the dream world. To make the online gaming zone more interesting and taking it on the edge, this group of four brilliant entrepreneurs namely Varun Mahna, Varun Puri, Karan Gandhi and Shashwat Jain launched PokerDangal in the year 2017.

    PokerDangal – Company Highlights

    Startup Name PokerDangal
    Headquarters Delhi
    Founders Varun Mahna, Varun Puri, Karan Gandhi and Shashwat Jain
    Sector Online Gaming
    Founded 2017
    Parent Organization Xeta Networks Pvt. Ltd.
    Website pokerdangal.com

    About PokerDangal and How It Works
    PokerDangal – Industry Details
    PokerDangal – Founders and Team
    How was PokerDangal Started?
    PokerDangal – Name, Tagline and Logo
    PokerDangal – Startup Launch
    PokerDangal – USP and Innovation
    PokerDangal – Business Model and Revenue Model
    PokerDangal – Startup Challenges
    PokerDangal – Funding and Investors
    PokerDangal – Acquisitions and Mergers
    PokerDangal – Competitors
    PokerDangal – Growth
    PokerDangal – FAQs

    About PokerDangal and How It Works

    PokerDangal is an Indian online poker gaming platform. It is the flagship product of Xeta Networks Pvt Ltd, an online gaming company from Hatu, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The game, as goes its title, is a poker game, developed with an aim to redefine Poker in India. PokerDangal was founded in 2017 by Varun Mahna, Varun Puri, and two other co-founders, Shashwat Jain and Karan Gandhi. PokerDangal is currently registered in Kolkata and headquartered in New Delhi. It also has small offices in Kolkata and Chennai as well.

    On www.pokerdangal.com, the users can opt to play a range of exciting tournaments and cash games in a safe game-playing environment.

    PokerDangal is available for desktop users, along with the users of Android and iOS, where they can play three variations of poker:

    • Texas Hold’em Poker, the most popular of the variations in the world
    • Four card pot limit Omaha
    • Five card pot limit Omaha.

    Though the four card pot limit Omaha was already there even before PokerDangal, the five card pot limit Omaha was first introduced by PokerDangal, which has gone on to become the most favourite variation of poker on the platform now. The fast speed and the wide range of probabilities and possibilities are some of the factors that distinguish the five card variation from the rest.

    “It appeals to the statistical and analytical abilities in people,” said Varun.

    While playing any of the three variants of the poker matches in PokerDangal, the players can choose to play individual cash games or get involved in a tournament. Emotional control, analytical ability and strategy are 3 important characteristics that define a good player from the other players.

    The online is at par with the physical game in nearly all thinkable aspects. However, there are only a couple of differences that exist between a physical game and the online PokerDangal. For instance, a player can change his/her strategy when playing a physical game of poker based on the observations from the other players. Another point of difference is that while on a physical game of poker an individual can concentrate only on one game whereas on online PokerDangal he/she can play multiple games together.

    The guiding principle of PokerDangal is to enrich the online gaming industry in India along with extending a safe, reliable, and fun ecosystem for the players of the country.


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    PokerDangal – Industry Details

    The online gaming industry is a brilliant example of a flourishing industry. With the emergence of fantasy gaming platforms and other gaming brands offering a wide range of games of varied nature to the audiences, the gaming industry looks at a bright future ahead.

    The Indian online gaming sector has already reached $1.027 billion in 2020, which stood at around $543 million only in 2016, thereby showing a growth of ~17.3%. The current trajectory that it is exhibiting now would make the industry climb to $2 billion by 2023. Furthermore, the number of online gamers in India, which currently stands at 360 million, is estimated to grow to 510 million by 2022.

    The online poker games, holding the hands of PokerDangal, have already started to disrupt the online gaming industry of India with huge potential.

    How to earn money from online poker games in India

    PokerDangal – Founders and Team

    Varun Mahna, Varun Puri, Shashwat Jain and Karan Gandhi founded PokerDangal in the year 2017.

    The Xeta Networks and PokerDangal founding team.
    The Xeta Networks and PokerDangal founding team.

    Varun Mahna, Founder & CEO – Varun pursued his MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur and graduated in B.E Computer Science from BITS Pilani. Before PokerDangal, he was in the position of HR Lead at Star Sports.

    Varun Puri, Founder & COO – Varun Puri holds a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from BITS Pilani. This is not his first time being an entrepreneur. His first venture was Neevtech India which is a leading exporter of agricultural machinery to Europe.

    Shashwat Jain, Co-Founder & CTO – Shashwat did his Engineering from IIT Dhanbad and has headed the position of VP Analytics for quite a few ventures like Box8, Amazon, Mu Sigma, etc.

    Karan Gandhi, Co-Founder – Karan holds a degree in B.Com from Delhi University and has previously worked in big brands like Zomato and NDTV.

    Currently, PokerDangal has a team of 25 people with the key members being Manan Sobti, Sahil Parakh, Anurag Upadhyay and Akshat Bharadwaj. This team is a close-knit unit with zero attrition in the last 2.5 years.

    How was PokerDangal Started?

    Varun Mahna, the founder of PokerDangal, was a student of BITS Pilani when he was first introduced to poker in 2005. Varun and his friend Varun Puri joined various poker groups and enjoyed playing poker during their university days.

    Varun next joined XLRI Jamshedpur, where poker was again a favourite. With the passage of days, Varun’s love for the game only grew. He then went on to join Star Sports and this is the first time when his attention was drawn towards online poker.

    Varun soon found his interest in online poker and switched to the online form of the game. Online poker was yet a new concept back then but had the potential to disrupt the gaming industry. To leverage this opportunity, Varun decided to found his own company along with his engineering batchmate Varun Puri, Shashwat Jain, Karan Gandhi under the name Xeta Networks, the parent company of PokerDangal, which eventually gave rise to the latter.

    The founders and co-founders together invested close to Rs. 30 lakhs from their personal savings and initially started working from a friend’s house.

    PokerDangal logo
    PokerDangal logo

    The PokerDangal team wanted a catchy name and the one that signified high octane action. The founders turned to be big fans of Bollywood and the movie Dangal inspired them to get an apt name for their gaming startup. There’s a line in the movie that says that “Dangal is not only a physical battle but also a mind game where one has to out-think their opponent.” That is what stayed with the founders and that’s how they decided to call the platform PokerDangal, as it is a mental duel.

    The tagline of PokerDangal is ‘Where Skills Meet Fortune’, which is built with an endeavour of redefining Poker in India. Besides, they also use #AbDangalHoga, which is again inspired by Dangal.

    The logo is a thoughtful mixture of acute sumo who is ready for a battle. It is coloured in a mixture of blue and white and is ingeniously crafted where a silhouette of a sumo wrestler is embedded on one of the chips of poker along with containing the initials of PokerDangal “PD”.

    PokerDangal – Startup Launch

    “We provide an online poker platform available on iOS, Google Play Store and Desktop versions for the users. A user can download our app, create their account, complete their KYC and profile and start playing at a time and place of their convenience.” says the founder proudly.

    Interestingly, users can also deposit and withdraw money in their bank accounts. The business of online gaming is differentiated on customer acquisition, customer retention and customer engagement. With PokerDangal’s core strengths of understanding user behaviour, data analytics, and operational excellence, the tea was able to outpace the market on each of these 3 levels. The prime success in this business depends on how well is the CAC: LTV optimized.

    Since its inception, the team has made major changes to the product and the way they conduct business. The product has been upgraded multiple times post the feedback from the users. Also, they have consistently integrated the feedback to create a better product and this is an ongoing process.

    “From a policy point, we made a big change in April 2018 when we introduced instant cash-out on the platform. A user can withdraw their money 24/7/365 and the money hits the bank account in less than 10 seconds,” said Varun Mahna.

    PokerDangal – USP and Innovation

    The USP of PokerDangal lies in the fact that the platform takes an interest to popularise poker in India and serves as a safe, interesting, and rewarding gaming platform for the existing poker players of the country.

    PokerDangal was the first platform to introduce the five card pot limit Omaha. Furthermore, it also serves as a platform that allows the players to play at multiple tables simultaneously.

    PokerDangal – Business Model and Revenue Model

    PokerDangal has mainly 2 revenue streams.

    1. The first revenue stream is from the tournaments the platform conducts. They charge a 10% service fee on the entry fee for a tournament.
    2. The second revenue stream is from the cash tables, where the platform charges a 3-4% service fee on the amount wagered by the users on the tables.

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    PokerDangal – Startup Challenges

    The toughest part for PokerDangal was for them to sustain the concurrent traffic on the platform. To make this happen, they came up with a brilliant “refer a friend” program which fueled the traction and incentivized players to refer their friends to play on the PokerDangal platform. Poker as a game is typically learned and played in a group and hence each user on the platform had a circle which the team leveraged to its benefit with this campaign.

    So ideally PokerDangal made its users its brand ambassadors where they were getting tremendous value to refer their friends as well. Refer a friend as a marketing tool has multiple benefits – it is relatively cheap and it creates a very positive brand image for the consumers being referred. For the initial months, spends on this campaign were very limited but the team did a lot of strategic tie-ups to ensure that they are reaching out to the target consumers most effectively. As a part of the plan, they also tied up with some of the top B-schools and Engineering colleges in the country and promoted PokerDangal during their annual festivals and meets. Interestingly, those partnerships are still in place and PokerDangal is now the official gaming partner for colleges like XLRI, MDI, etc.

    Also, one of the most challenging parts was when PokerDangal was just 6 months old and wanted to raise some funds to scale the business operations. The founder team identified that to sustain in the industry it is important to hasten their user acquisition which in turn required a significant spend. So they decided to reach out to a few angel investors to understand the sentiments about the industry and they got a lot of positive responses from the people whom they reached out to. And they were finally funded by an angel investor in July 2018.

    PokerDangal’s biggest success was successfully implementing instant cash-outs which allows the users to withdraw their winnings in just 30 seconds to their bank accounts 24/7. This strategic shift was a huge change in the way the team conducted the business operations.


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    PokerDangal – Funding and Investors

    PokerDangal has raised a total of Rs. 7.30 crores in its latest funding round. The funding stabilized PokerDangal and helped in scaling the operations optimally.

    Date Deal Type Amount
    Jan 2021 Series A Rs. 7.30 Crores
    Aug 2018 Angel Investors

    PokerDangal – Acquisitions and Mergers

    In the first year, PokerDangal acquired a struggling poker platform named PokerMet. The team acquired PokerMet’s user base, assets and merged its operations with PokerDangal.

    PokerDangal – Competitors

    Some of the big players in this segment are Adda52, Pocket52, and PokerStars. The sector is very cut-throat and one has to be on their toes to stay competitive. The focus on providing a delightful customer experience is a key differentiator for this online gaming business. The users need a platform where they have complete faith and hence it is important to be transparent in the policies and actions. PokerDangal is amongst one of the firms to have the best customer support system and that was the key to their growth. Also, this was the first company in the country to introduce instant cash-out and 5 cards PLO which are hugely popular with the user base.  

    PokerDangal – Growth

    • The registered user base of more than 2,00,000 players.
    • A monthly deposit of more than INR 4.9 Crores.
    • The business saw a 14x growth over the last 12 months.
    • The average monthly turnover is INR 60 Crores.
    • The monthly revenue clocked in October 2019 was INR 2.5 Crores.
    • Tagged as an EBITDA positive company.
    • Amongst the top 4 real money poker sites.
    • PokerDangal is about to enter the fantasy/rummy business.

    PokerDangal – FAQs

    Who are the Founders of PokerDangal?

    Varun Mahna, Varun Puri, Shashwat Jain and Karan Gandhi founded PokerDangal in the year 2017.

    What does PokerDangal Offer?

    PokerDangal offers a plethora of exciting tournaments and cash games to the players who want to put their skills to test in online Poker.

    How much is PokerDangal Funding to date?

    PokerDangal has raised a total of Rs. 7.30 crores in its series A funding round.

    How much is PokerDangal’s Turnover?

    A monthly deposit of more than INR 4.9 Crores. The business saw a 14x growth over the last 12 months. The average monthly turnover is INR 60 Crores. The monthly revenue clocked in October 2019 was INR 2.5 Crores.

  • Growth Of Indian Gaming Industry During Pandemic

    The Indian online gaming Industry is growing at an exponential rate upon year and is expected to be worth $1.1 billion by 2021. The industry has experienced a drastic growth at the beginning of 2020 due to the pandemic. When other businesses shut down, the gaming industry got lots of new users. The number of games doubled after the lockdown and is expected to rise in 2021.

    Online gaming has gained a strong foothold within the India entertainment industry. With a projected user base of more than 628 million gamers, this gives a whole new boost to the Indian economy. This industry contains game developers, designers, investors, marketers and gamers of all ages working together to come up with the latest cutting games, concepts and offers for players. Gaming has become one of India most exciting industries with more investment from both companies and consumers every year.

    The online gaming industry is still quite an unexplored area in India but the companies that have taken the leap are flourishing and are now expected to grow by 41% in 2021. All this interest and potential makes India one of the top gaming markets amongst emerging global economies. Statistics show that the Indian gaming markets is the fastest growing one in the world.


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    A Brief About The Indian Gaming Industry
    Gaming Industry During The Covid Pandemic
    The Reasons For The Growth Of Online Gaming Industry
    FAQ’s
    Conclusion

    A Brief About The Indian Gaming Industry

    According to a report ‘Gaming- India Story’, the online gaming Industry is said to be growing at the rate of CAGR of 22%. The report also claimed that the Indian Gaming Industry is expected to grow 41% annually due to the growth of digital infrastructure rise in quality and engaging gaming content. The gaming Industry in India is said to be valued at $3,750, by 2021. So far, the industry has attracted $350 million in investments from venture capitalists from 2014 to 2020.

    Value of gaming companies from the financial year of 2007 to 2020 with estimates until 2022

    Pankaj Karna, the managing director of Maple Capital Advisors said that, “With growing internet penetration, compelling economics, usage statistics and increasing ecosystem of entrepreneurs and developers focusing on this space we expect good growth in investments which are likely to at least double in this space in the next 1 – 2 years.” India has become the second largest market worldwide for app worldwide for app downloads.

    The three key segments of online gaming are Real Money Games (RMG), Mobile centric or casual games and Esports. There has been a huge increase in the number of smartphone users which is why many gaming developers are looking on to capitalize on. At present, there are over 400 gaming startups and more than 500 million smartphone users in India, making mobile gaming lead by 85% share of the total online gaming sector in India.


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    Gaming Industry During The Covid Pandemic

    Due to Covid 19 and substantial lockdown, visits to online gaming websites or apps rose by 24%. Moreover, engagement as measured by the amount of time spent on gaming sites or apps, also increased by 21% during the same time period. Platform such as Games2Win, WinZo Games, Hitwicket, Gamerji and Rummy recorded a tremendous increase in daily user’s base as well as the time spent playing those games. While Indian gaming companies like Dream11 and MPL are known worldwide.

    Top Gaming Companies in India

    In 2020 however, Esports have shown strong user growth and profitability, and so has the real money games, which besides lockdown also increased after the ban of popular multiplayer games like PUBG. Winzo games reported three times more user engagement and 30% higher traffic in online mobile gaming. Similarly Paytm First games also reported 200% increase, with 75,000 new users only during the pandemic.

    Three in every five serious gamers are now playing for around four hours more than before the lockdown. Mobile gaming in particular as seen a steady rise during the lockdown as there were many people at their homes. During this time, around 15% of the Indian gamers shifted from playing freemium games to paid games. Through a survey, most gamers also agreed that mobile gaming helped them overcome isolation.


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    The Reasons For The Growth Of Online Gaming Industry

    Accessibility to smartphones

    The smartphones market plays a crucial role in the gaming industry. The increased competition requires offering more reasonable prices. As a result, anyone can afford a smartphone with great features. Along with the availability of faster internet connection, this leads to the perfect conditions for online gaming growth. The market will grow even more when people get access to a mobile device.

    gadgets used for playing video games in India
    Gadgets used for playing video games in India

    Investments by Chinese Tech firms

    Chinese tech companies invested in the Indian gaming markets. According to estimates they managed to invest over $8 billion in the Tech sector. Companies such as Alibaba and Tescent gained stakes in some in some of the top Indian gaming companies. The government has recently put restrictions on Chinese investments during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

    This however, did not stop the investors from investing in Indian gaming companies. Paytm First Games and Daraz has launched a successful gaming platform in Bangladesh. Tencent experienced a fall due to the lack of sporting events in the lockdown. But, they chose to invest in Dream 11, as they saw potential in the platform.

    More people equals to more players

    India has the second highest population in the world, with over 1.3 billion inhabitants as of the beginning of 2020. This means that there is a massive untapped base for the gaming industry in India, which has already benefitted the Indian economy to a great extent. The main reason for some games to get popular are when some people talk to each other and invite their family members to group games, influence their peer groups and spread the word about their games. This leaves a lot of scope for the gaming industry to make a foray into.


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    Skill gaming options

    Youngsters in India love to play skill games. When it comes to the online availability of different games has taken this sector to a whole new level. There are numerous sites available so that Indians can choose their favorite games. The market needs to expand market the options and offers many more choices for different tastes. The game providers need to introduce more free games for passionate players.

    Growing culture

    The increase of number of players, results in a convenient gaming culture. The revenue generated will help the gaming industry grow and will help the local gaming communities and the ecosystems that include developers as well as consumers. In the last decade, the number of Indian game development companies has increased from 25 to 250, with new gaming startups appearing every month. It’s more appealing for the public to spend their money on businesses and companies that will develop products that are tailored to their own local tastes.

    FAQ’s

    Is the gaming industry growing?

    Game console revenue, which includes the hardware and all game software and services, is expected to rise 20% worldwide compared with 2019, to $52.5 billion, according to Ward. Looking at digital PC and Mac sales, global revenue is expected to rise 11% from a year ago, to $39.5 billion.

    Is the gaming industry dying?

    The gaming industry is very far from dying, but there is a massive problem with the economics of the gaming industry at both the high and low end, and both of these problems mean that taking risks is dangerous. So the video game industry is playing it safe and probably too safe at the moment.

    Why gaming industry is the best?

    The gaming industry is considered to be one of the most exciting industries in tech because of its importance to culture, entertainment, and technological advancement.

    Which country has the biggest gaming industry?

    As of 2020, it is estimated that China ranks first among the biggest gaming markets worldwide, with a revenue of 40.85 billion U.S. dollars. The video gaming market in the United States ranked second, generating an approximate 36.92 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenues.

    How big is the gaming industry?

    Video games are a billion-dollar business and have been for many years. In 2020, the revenue from the worldwide PC gaming market was estimated at almost 37 billion U.S. dollars, while the mobile gaming market generated an estimated income of over 77 billion U.S. dollars.

    Conclusion

    Due to the widespread coronavirus pandemic, the gaming industry is thriving and growing like anything. This is because of the precautions that are taken for coronavirus. Social distancing has made people limit interaction with each other. This has led to a downfall in consumer and business activities. Online Gaming has become the platform that has provided an engaging distraction for people seeking social interaction.

    Looking at the situation where it may take a while for the pandemic to settle and cool down, the expectation of the video games industry is to continue its upward growth trend. The gaming community is looking at a post-pandemic gaming world with a steady flow of new titles, campaigns on social media, quizzes and competitions. There is no stopping to the Gaming Industry that has made people interact in crisis situations.