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Tag: Baazi Games

  • Sony LIV’s Shark Tank India 4 nets record sponsors and high viewer interest

    Sony LIV’s Shark Tank India 4 nets record sponsors and high viewer interest

    MUMBAI: Buckle up, entrepreneurs and dreamers! Shark Tank India 4 is back on Sony LIV, and this season isn’t just swimming in talent—it’s making waves with a powerhouse lineup of sponsors. The much-loved reality show, now streaming, continues to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences by shining a spotlight on India’s most ambitious and innovative business minds. With bold pitches, high-stakes deals, and cutting-edge ideas, this season is set to redefine entrepreneurship for the country.

    The show’s impressive sponsor roster includes Acko, Pokerbaazi, and Swiggy Instamart as co-presenting sponsors, along with Adani and Jaguar as co-powered sponsors. Partner sponsors Rayzon Solar, Icici Direct, Lenskart, and Sofy have also joined the entrepreneurial bandwagon, leveraging Shark Tank’s wide reach to connect with India’s ever-growing startup ecosystem.

    This season, a star-studded panel of sharks leads the charge. Returning favourites like Anupam Mittal (People Group), Aman Gupta (boAt Lifestyle), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), and Vineeta Singh (Sugar Cosmetics) are joined by new faces, including Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal), and Varun Dua (Acko). Each brings their unique expertise to enrich conversations and inspire India’s next wave of entrepreneurs.

    Sony LIV head of ad sales revenue Ranjana Mangla highlighted the show’s success, “Shark Tank India has redefined reality TV in the country, blending inspiration with entertainment to captivate viewers. It offers brands a unique platform to showcase impactful campaigns and connect with a diverse audience. Partnering with the show taps into the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering meaningful connections and leaving a lasting impression. The show’s phenomenal success, driving 40 per cent growth on CTV and 27 per cent growth in engagement, is fuelled by great content. This season also features a wide range of business pitches, from traditional ventures to cutting-edge tech.”

    Acko CMO Ashish Mishra, explained their commitment to the show, “Acko’s association with Shark Tank India has always celebrated change. We want to continue putting a spotlight on changemakers – the entrepreneurs who have the vision to drive positive change in society. Our changemakers have always had bold ideas and creative solutions and used their skills for the betterment of our country. With the Changemaker Wall, we have taken this spotlight to the next level. We worked with talented artists from across the country and asked them to express their interpretation of positive change. These incredible pieces of art, along with the talented entrepreneurs from Shark Tank, come together to showcase our commitment towards positive change. Together, we are championing a future where innovation meets purpose.”

    Baazi Games CEO Navkiran Singh shared a unique perspective, “Both Poker and entrepreneurship thrive on strategy, risk management, and adaptability. The skills required to build a business, such as making calculated decisions and staying resilient, are equally vital in Poker, making the two deeply interconnected. That’s why we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Shark Tank for its third season. This platform is a celebration of the ‘Make in India for the World’ vision and a catalyst for empowering entrepreneurs to build exceptional businesses. Its growing popularity perfectly aligns with the spirit of innovation and strategy that we at Baazi Games deeply value.”

    Swiggy Instamart CEO Amitesh Jha expressed his excitement about the collaboration, “We’re just a week into the launch of Shark Tank 4, and already, we’re witnessing some incredible products and promising entrepreneurs. This partnership is particularly exciting for us at Swiggy Instamart, as we’re always looking for ways to bring exciting new D2C brands to users and it aligns with our core value of making innovation both a reality and easily accessible to consumers. What’s also exciting is that we get to offer these debut products to our customers through Swiggy Instamart, delivering them within minutes giving a great boost to these brands.”

    With its growing popularity, Shark Tank India 4 promises not only to entertain but also to empower. By pairing inspiring entrepreneurial stories with top-tier brand partnerships, the show cements its role as a beacon for innovation and ambition in India.

    Catch Shark Tank India 4 every Monday to Friday at 8 pm, exclusively on Sony LIV.

  • National Poker Series India 2025 unveils Rs 100 crore prize pool

    National Poker Series India 2025 unveils Rs 100 crore prize pool

    Mumbai: The National Poker Series India (NPS) in its fifth edition in March 2025, promises to elevate India’s poker landscape to newer heights. Exclusively hosted on PokerBaazi, NPS 2025 boasts an unprecedented ₹100 crore prize pool, positioning it as the biggest and most prestigious poker event in the country’s history.

    Baazi Games founder & CEO Navkiran Singh commented, “The National Poker Series India is a platform that transcends mere competition; it is a movement that recognizes poker as a serious skill-based mind sport in India. Each edition is designed to emphasize strategy, precision, and mental endurance, enabling players to refine their abilities while promoting the sport across the nation. We are proud to host the National Poker Series India for its fifth edition with a ₹100 crore prize pool—the biggest our country has seen yet. We aim to deliver an unparalleled experience at PokerBaazi, to empower the talent of poker players across India.”

    Building on the overwhelming success of the 2024 edition, which drew over 2.25 lakh entries and offered a prize pool of ₹62.5 crore and 450 medals, NPS 2025 is set to raise the bar even higher. Players can anticipate an event of extraordinary scale in 2025, making the fifth edition the most competitive and rewarding yet.

    Since its inception, the National Poker Series India has attracted over 5.33 lakh entries, hosted 404 high-stakes tournaments, and awarded 1,221 players with medals, solidifying its position as India’s premier platform for competitive poker. In the 2024 edition, Deepak Singh from Delhi emerged as the overall champion with three gold, one silver, and one bronze medals. The competition was fierce, with Abhishek Sonu from Bihar and Samay Modi from Maharashtra also securing podium finishes. Maharashtra led the medal tally with over 100 medals, closely followed by Delhi with 83, illustrating the regional pride and intense rivalry that NPS has come to symbolize.

    The schedule of the tournament series that surpasses the rewards of some of the country’s largest sports leagues is expected to follow soon.

  • PokerBaazi launches its ‘Tu Poker Khelta Hai Kya?’ campaign

    PokerBaazi launches its ‘Tu Poker Khelta Hai Kya?’ campaign

    Mumbai: PokerBaazi has released its latest brand campaign, ‘Tu Poker Khelta Hai Kya?’. The campaign features the company’s brand ambassador and Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor. The campaign intricately highlights how every Indian possesses innate Poker skills that are part of their day-to-day interactions and can be leveraged to become a Poker player.

    Conveying the core message ‘Jo life mein khelta hai wo Poker bhi khel sakta hai’, the ads are filmed satirically to capture how the protagonist (Shahid Kapoor) uses skills that are often used in Poker, like quick thinking, outsmarting the opponent, reading people, calculating on the go, acting under pressure and calling a bluff, during various real life situations which make people around him believe that he is a Poker player.

    Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Baazi Games founder and CEO Navkiran Singh shared, “Poker is a mind sport and through our messaging we have been able to establish the fact that like any other sport even Poker requires certain skills. In our latest campaign we are talking about a simple fact that we, as Indians, possess some of these skills which we use in our daily lives. You can use them to play Poker and at the same time playing Poker can make you get better at these life skills.”

    The campaign has been conceptualized in collaboration with the creative agency Talented. The brand films will be aired during the ongoing Indian Premier League on Jio. The campaign will also feature an exhaustive OOH presence across cities.

    PokerBaazi since its inception has been reiterating the precedence of skill and strategy when playing Poker. Recently, the company successfully hosted the 2024 edition of India’s biggest Poker series- National Poker Series India in which people from 23 states won 450 prestigious Poker medals. Recording over 80 per cent Y-o-Y growth in participation with over 2.3 Lac entries, the tournament series is a testament to the speedy growth of Poker in India. PokerBaazi’s latest brand campaign is bound to grow the category in India further.

  • Shark Tank India 3 soars to success with a remarkable 20 per cent increase in new users

    Shark Tank India 3 soars to success with a remarkable 20 per cent increase in new users

    Mumbai: In the exhilarating third season of Shark Tank India, innovation meets ambition as entrepreneurs from across the country pitch their groundbreaking ideas to an illustrious panel of 12 Sharks. With each passing episode, the reception has been nothing short of overwhelming, piquing the curiosity of audiences and investors alike. This season has seen an exceptional growth of 20 per cent increase in new users, and notably, 37 per cent increase in users who watched on CTV.

    In season 3, businesses like Pizza Galleria and Conscious Chemist have seen remarkable growth following their appearances on Shark Tank India. Pizza Galleria experienced a four-times surge in sales and a 20 times spike in web traffic, with over 1000 franchise inquiries. Conscious Chemist saw a four-times increase in revenue and a five times increase in website visitors. Tiggle and Koparo also achieved significant growth, with Tiggle’s sales increasing six times and website traffic five times, and Koparo’s sales growing six times and website traffic 10 times.

    Season three has received support from influential brands, strengthening its impact. ACKO has come on board as a co-presenting partner, maintaining a steadfast three-year alliance. PokerBaazi also continues the association stepping up as the co-presenting sponsor, enriching the Shark Tank India 3 experience with their engaging segment, Baazigar of the Day, expertly hosted by the witty Rahul Dua. This light-hearted addition brings a dose of fun and camaraderie into the high-stakes atmosphere of the show, allowing pitchers to unwind, showcase their personalities, and even bag exciting prizes along the way. The show is co-powered by upGrad, IDFC First Bank has come on board as the Banking partner, and ICICI Direct, Unicharm’s Sofy Feminine Care brand along with Sensodyne have joined as partner sponsors, enriching the show’s network of pivotal partnerships.

    Sony LIV head ad revenue Ranjana Mangla:

    Shark Tank India has led to a positive change within the society by promoting entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and empowering individuals to achieve their dreams. This season has seen more than 50 Cr of investment across 54 deals by the sharks so far, with businesses from Personal Care & Fashion, Technology and Food & Beverages getting most of the investment share. The show’s Impact has been such that many Startups after appearing on the show have seen massive growth in the sales and website traffics showcasing the immense potential of the show on the start-up ecosystem. This makes the show a great opportunity for brands as well.

    Baazi Games (parent group of Pokerbaazi) founder and CEO Navkiran Singh:

    Over the years, we have realized that the skills of a competent entrepreneur always make him win in any situation, Shark Tank India is all about making the right decisions under pressure, constantly analyzing the market opportunities with the perseverance to excel in the game, and this alignment makes our partnership with Shark Tank a natural fit.

    Tune in to Shark Tank India 3 streaming on Sony LIV, Monday to Friday at 10 pm.

  • PokerBaazi.com ropes in Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador

    PokerBaazi.com ropes in Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: PokerBaazi.com on Tuesday announced Bollywood superstar Shahid Kapoor as its brand ambassador. PokerBaazi aims to create a robust ecosystem for Poker in India, and Shahid’s association with the brand comes in line with its commitment to popularise and create awareness amongst the masses about Poker.

    With Shahid Kapoor onboard, PokerBaazi.com will soon roll out its latest marketing campaign, which will include the launch of a TVC in the coming days, promoting not only the association but the brand messaging of poker being a sport which someone can master with their skills.

    Welcoming Shahid Kapoor as their brand ambassador, Baazi Games founder and CEO Navkiran Singh said, “We are thrilled to have Shahid onboard as the newest member of our PokerBaazi family. With Shahid, we found the perfect match for our brand as not just his personality, but also his constant drive to experiment with his craft beautifully, blends with our vision to enable a new sport to get its desired recognition in the country. With this association we take a step further in our larger goal of creating a Poker ecosystem in India and making it a household sport. We look forward to a successful collaboration and with our upcoming campaigns hope to drive valuable discussions around the PokerBaazi story.”

    Speaking about the association, actor Shahid Kapoor said, “It’s a pleasure to be associated with PokerBaazi, India’s biggest poker platform, that’s at the helm of this brewing revolution. With its many unique features, it just makes learning & playing online poker so easy and quick, and in the process, helps players build life skills like thinking strategically, managing risks, etc. Our association isn’t only driven by the fact that we both believe in bringing a difference in our respective fields but also by the sheer will to entertain our audiences while trying to do so. I am looking forward to helping PokerBaazi reach wider audiences and create more advocates for the sport in India.”

    PokerBaazi.com recently celebrated a landmark of a billion hands played on its online platform. This association adds to the celebration for the unique milestone and PokerBaazi.com’s nearly eight-year journey of contributing to the fast evolving poker ecosystem in India.

  • Karnataka HC order will pave way for progressive policy on online gaming: Industry

    Karnataka HC order will pave way for progressive policy on online gaming: Industry

    Mumbai: The Karnataka high court on Monday struck down the amendments to the Karnataka Police Amendment Act in 2021 that prohibited certain online gaming activities in the state.

    The judgement comes as a relief for online fantasy sports and online gaming companies such as Dream11, Mobile Premier League, Games24X7 and Ace2Three who had suspended operations in the state after the ban came into effect on 5 October last year.

    In October, the state government had prohibited and criminalised playing of games of skill including online games by risking money or otherwise by amending the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.

    The provision was challenged by Skill-gaming industry body All India Gaming Federation, fantasy sports industry body Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports and real money gaming firms such as Mobile Premier League, Games24X7, A23, Junglee Games, Gameskraft and Pacific Games who moved the high court against the law.

    The high court on 22 December reserved its judgement in the case after concluding the hearings from a series of petitioners that included industry associations, gaming companies and individuals who had challenged the constitutional validity of the state’s new online gambling law that came into effect on 5 October.

    On Monday, the division bench comprising chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and justice Krishna S Dixit declared certain provisions of the Karnataka Act number 28/2021, to the extent the provisions pertaining to regulate online gaming activities, “to be ultra vires to the Constitution of India.”

    All India Gaming Federation CEO Roland Landers welcomed the judgment that comes in succession of the positive judgements for online skill gaming by the Kerala and Madras HC in 2021. “With the FM’s announcement of AVGC task force that will give a major boost to the game development sector, we look forward to bringing in massive employment, through direct and indirect jobs and becoming a meaningful contributor,” he said.

    Games24X7 vice president corporate and regulatory affairs Dinker Vashisht, said he hopes that these judgements nudge state governments to frame progressive policy and regulatory structure for this sunrise sector.

    Witzeal founder and CEO Ankur Singh too welcomed the order enabling the industry to resume business in Karnataka and provide gaming platform to users. “This move is in line with the initiatives proposed by the FM in the Union budget to set up an AVGC task force and will further help in giving a much-needed push to gaming companies and developers,” he added.

    “I am sure all state governments will also support the industry to realise its true potential, both for employment opportunities and revenue generation which can also be a big contributor to the GDP,” said Baazi Games co-founder and COO Puneet Singh. “This will also boost the investor sentiment towards the segment.”

    PlayerzPot co-founder Mitesh Gangar said it will pave the way for all brands to start its operations in Karnataka. “The state contributed to a sizable chunk of user base and revenue for us and this ban uplift will allow our users to come back to skill-based gaming,” he added.

    India is the fifth largest online gaming market globally with 80 million skill-based gamers in 2020 which is expected to grow to 150 million by 2023 according to an EY-All India Gaming Federation report. The sector is expected to generate revenues in excess of $3 billion by 2025.

  • Baazi Games forays into hyper-casual gaming with Baazi Mobile Gaming

    Baazi Games forays into hyper-casual gaming with Baazi Mobile Gaming

    Mumbai: Homegrown online gaming platform Baazi Games has further diversified its portfolio with the addition of Baazi Mobile Gaming (BMG) – an end-to-end social interactive gaming application. 

    Launched with the objective of building a community of users with the right combination of cognitive, problem solving, and risk-taking skills, the application will focus on games that will range from testing hand-eye coordination skills, memory and problem-solving skills of the individual.

    BMG intends to reach out to audiences across various age groups, socio-economic groups, and cities with a special focus on tier 2 and 3 cities, said the brand in a statement. “BMG aims to keep the gaming inventory dynamic with a touch of Indian element to all its games, avoiding user monopoly and it will also host tournaments across diverse genres of games,” it added.

    “Baazi Games has always banked on innovation to build our products,” said Baazi Games head of business intelligence Mohit Pandita. “Through BMG, our intention is to create a perfect amalgamation of casual gaming and real money gaming. The application will follow a user-first approach and bank on Baazi’s USP of being a ‘Trust’ driven brand.”

    He further added, “We want to make our users understand that real money skill-based gaming is purely dependent on one’s skills and how one masters it over the time. We are focusing on propagating the same message across all our communication streams with our tagline ‘Lagao Skills ki Baazi’ and build awareness about the skills necessary for gaming.”

    The application shall be promoted with a digital-first approach to reach out to a wider audience base and will be supported by physical event-based initiatives throughout the year, said the statement.