News on Medial

Related News

RMG ban pushes Zupee to cut 170 jobs

EntrackrEntrackr · 20d ago
RMG ban pushes Zupee to cut 170 jobs
Medial

Real-money gaming (RMG) platform Zupee has laid off around 170 employees, or about 30% of its workforce, as the company restructures operations following the government’s ban on RMG platforms. “This has been a tough call for us, but was necessary to adapt to the new regulatory framework. Our colleagues who are leaving us have been an integral part of Zupee’s journey and we will always remain thankful for their contribution in building Zupee into what it is today. We are providing comprehensive support to help our colleagues step seamlessly & with confidence into their next roles,” said Dilsher Singh Malhi, Founder & CEO of Zupee. As part of the separation package, Zupee is offering affected employees severance pay of up to six months, extended health benefits, and a Rs 1 crore medical support fund. The company has also promised priority rehiring for those impacted. The layoffs at Zupee come weeks after other RMG companies, including Head Digital Works (A23), MPL, Baazi Games, and Games24x7, cut hundreds of jobs following the ban. A23’s parent company recently let go of nearly 500 employees, or two-thirds of its staff. Founded in 2018 by Malhi and Siddhant Saurabh, Zupee had been among the leading players in the RMG space, claiming over 150 million registered users. With RMG now off the table, the company is pivoting to social and casual games, while also experimenting with subscription products such as Zupee Plus and original short-form content under Zupee Studio. Zupee’s revenue from operations grew by 35% year-on-year to Rs 1,123 crore in FY24 from Rs 832 crore in FY23. Moreover, it also turned profitable during the same period, posting a net profit of Rs 146 crore. Its FY25 report has yet to be released. The RMG ban has triggered a wave of layoffs across the sector, forcing companies to explore ad-driven and subscription-led monetisation models. Like Zupee, WinZo has forayed into microdramas, while Dream11’s parent has entered the wealth management space with its new app Dream Money.

Exclusive: Dream11 set to shut its core real-money gaming biz

EntrackrEntrackr · 1m ago
Exclusive: Dream11 set to shut its core real-money gaming biz
Medial

Exclusive: Dream11 set to shut its core real-money gaming biz “The decision was communicated during an internal town hall on Wednesday,” said one of the sources on condition of anonymity. “RMG contributes more than two-third of the company’s annual revenue.” Dream11 (Dream Sports) is winding down its real money gaming operations, sources aware of the development told Entrackr. The decision comes on the heels of the government’s recent Online Gaming Bill 2025. “The decision was communicated during an internal town hall on Wednesday,” said one of the sources on condition of anonymity. “RMG contributes more than two-third of the company’s annual revenue.” The landmark Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, bans all forms of online games involving monetary stakes, including fantasy sports, poker, betting apps, and opinion trading platforms. The Bill also prohibits celebrity endorsements and makes violations a criminal offense, carrying imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore, with personal liability extended to company directors and promoters unless they can prove due diligence. According to sources, Dream11 will now shift focus to expanding its non-real-money gaming ventures such as Fancode, Sportz Drip (formerly Sports Rhythm), and its investments in Cricbuzz and Willow TV. “The firm is also likely to explore new game formats for overseas markets, similar to the strategy adopted by Mobile Premier League (MPL),” said a second source requesting anonymity. "The shutdown will also trigger severe cost-cutting measures, including mass layoffs, as the RMG business employed the majority of the firm’s workforce,” the person added. Dream11 has declined to comment on the story. Dream11’s revenue from operations surged to Rs 6,384 crore in FY23 from Rs 3,841 crore in FY22. During the period, its profit also increased 32% to Rs 188 crore. It has yet to file its annual report for FY24 and FY25.

Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.