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Tag: Fantasy Sports

  • Rajya Sabha clears sweeping ban on online money gaming despite opposition uproar

    Rajya Sabha clears sweeping ban on online money gaming despite opposition uproar

    NEW DELHI: The Indian parliament on Friday pushed through a controversial law banning the operation, facilitation and advertising of online money games, amid noisy opposition protests over the lack of debate.

    The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025—passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha a day after clearing the Lok Sabha—makes online money gaming punishable with up to three years in prison and fines of as much as Rs 1 crore. Offences will be cognisable and non-bailable.

    Tabling the bill, electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw likened money-gaming addiction to drug abuse and accused powerful vested interests of fuelling terror finance through gaming platforms. He said roughly 45 crore Indians had lost money online, with annual losses pegged at Rs 20,000 crore.

    The legislation bans all forms of online betting and gambling—from fantasy sports and poker to rummy, lotteries and other card games—and bars banks and payment providers from processing related transactions. 

    Advertising such services will invite up to two years’ jail and fines of Rs 50 lakh, while facilitating payments could mean three years in prison and Rs 1 crore in penalties. Repeat offenders face enhanced sentences of up to five years and Rs 2 crore in fines.

    Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the government for forcing the bill through without discussion, even as union minister Kiren Rijiju said protests made a debate impossible.

    Vaishnaw stressed the bill distinguishes between harmful money games and esports. Speaking to ANI, he said the government aims to “promote and encourage the good parts” of online gaming, and to make India a hub for development through the planned Indian Institute of Creative Technologies.

    Prime minister Narendra Modi, addressing an NDA meeting, hailed the online gaming ban as a reform with “far-reaching impact”, while accusing the opposition of reducing the monsoon session to disruption.

    NDTV reported that the government will also act against “big people” attempting to sway opinion through media and social media campaigns against the ban.

  • Dream 11’s IPL technology challenge

    Dream 11’s IPL technology challenge

    MUMBAI: IPL 2025  Day One. The much hyped and awaited opener between RCB and KKR is about to begin. The Dream Sports War Room – as the tech hub has been labelled – is a hustle-bustle of activity. Energy levels are high, there’s tension in the air amongst all the engineers and product managers who have stationed themselves in the office for the cracker of a match that’s about to go on air. 

    Viewer engagement expectations on the Dream 11 app  are higher than ever following the merger of JioCinema and Disney Hotstar into this behemoth streamer called JioHotstar with a subscription base of 60 million.
    Even before the first ball has been bowled fantasy players by the millions have started their game play on Dream 11. 

    At the centre of it all is Dream Sports chief technology officer Amit Sharma  – the commander of the nerve centre that keeps millions of cricket fans connected—come traffic surge or system meltdown. Like the captain of a ship sailing through a turbulent sea he retains his calm so that he can steer his charge safely through the storm.  

    “IPL isn’t just a cricket tournament; it’s a digital gladiatorial arena,” Sharma explained on Linkedin. ” We’re all hands on deck, I really mean it. Every team works in tandem to make it bigger and better than the previous season! While the event lasts just for a couple of months, we prepare by making our systems more robust throughout the year. There’s a lot that goes behind stitching the most seamless experience for our users – from coming on the app, selecting a contest to making their dream team and real-time leader boards – it’s truly a journey. On top of our mind is the fact that we’re not just hosting an app; we’re managing a national digital phenomenon that can spike to 700 million requests per minute. “

    And how does the engineering team manage to keep the app in good enough shape  despite the killer load that piles up when the league gathers steam? 

    Before the first ball is bowled, Sharma’s team conducts a “service operational maturity assessment” (SOMA)—a forensic examination of over 100 critical services. Engineers run what can only be described as digital stress tests: benchmarks that would make Silicon Valley veterans break into a sweat. Chaos tests and real-world load simulations are pressured on the system to fine-tune applications and infrastructure.

    “We’re not just testing; we’re essentially performing open-heart surgery on our digital infrastructure,” he quips. Some systems receive targeted upgrades, while others undergo complete architectural metamorphosis.

    A key tool that streamlines the massive inflow of online players is “Scaler”, Dream Sports’ in-house traffic 
    management marvel. This system doesn’t just respond to traffic—it anticipates it. Predictive models allocate resources before traffic spikes can even think about overwhelming the system.

    The war room’s crown jewels? Two razor-sharp monitoring systems:

    1. Watch Commander (WACO): A real-time performance sentinel that catches anomalies faster than a fielder’s lightning-quick catch.

    2. Pulse: A user interaction tracker that identifies potential glitches before they can say “out.”

    Behind every algorithmic prediction and system upgrade is a team of engineers who treat digital resilience like a cricket strategy—meticulously planned, ruthlessly executed. Dream Sports’ incident management system stands ready, a digital emergency response unit primed to tackle any unforeseen technological yorkers.
    Each IPL season is more than a sporting event—it’s a technological crucible where Dream Sports redefines the boundaries of digital scalability, says Sharma. “It  challenges us to rethink and refine how we approach scale, speed and reliability,” he adds. 

    Back to Dream Sports War Room and to the opening match of the IPL. All that is needed to take RCB to their first victory in the 2025 edition is a thump to the boundary, which Livingstone does when he wacks the Johnson delivery past mid-on to the ropes  to the dismay of those in the Eden Gardens stadium. 

    In the war-room, Sharma leans back and heaves a sigh of relief. The match saw the Dream 11  app getting a peak concurrency of 16.5 crore users. And it held up strong, without any glitches to the delight of all the engineers who were on standby. Another battle won. Till the next one.

  • Dream11’s star-studded campaign yields record concurrency on IPL 2025 Day one

    Dream11’s star-studded campaign yields record concurrency on IPL 2025 Day one

    MUMBAI: Dream11 has kicked off the IPL season with a bang, smashing records faster than a Hardik Pandya six. The fantasy cricket platform registered an admiration worthy 16.5m concurrent users during the tournament opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore—testament to a marketing campaign that began brewing in the boardroom nearly eight months ago.

    Dream11 chief marketing officer Vikrant Mudaliar orchestrated what industry insiders describe as a “logistical hat-trick” by corralling Bollywood heavyweights Ranbir Kapoor and Aamir Khan alongside cricketing royalty Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav for this season’s television commercial.

    The campaign’s central question—”Aap key team mein kaun?” (Who’s in your team?)—taps into the very essence of fantasy cricket while resonating with fans across the subcontinent. With Dream11 already boasting 240m users,  Mudaliar’s sights are firmly set on the next 100m cricket-mad Indians.

    “We needed a reach of 500-600 million,” he revealed to Storyboard18. “Only cricket and the IPL and Indian cinema combined can deliver that level of exposure.” The campaign, directed by Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal fame, required military-precision planning with multiple sets, parallel shoots and a complex scheduling ballet to accommodate the stars’ limited availability.

    The adverts, filmed over several days in party settings, in planes, showcase something rarely seen in Indian advertising: self-deprecation from genuine celebrities. “The ability to poke fun at oneself requires a certain maturity,” noted  Mudaliar. “Much of the humour came from the celebrities themselves.”

    Such starry productions don’t come cheap, with budgets reportedly running into  crores. However, Dream11 has optimised its marketing spend by stepping back from co-presenting sponsorship of IPL broadcasts, instead betting big on creative quality.

    The strategy appears to be paying dividends. While Amit Sharma, chief technology officer, and his team work feverishly behind the scenes to keep the platform running smoothly under unprecedented traffic on Day 1 of the IPL as Virat Kohli blasted RCB to a victory over reigning champions KKR, Dream11’s war room is celebrating a return on investment that even the shrewdest fantasy cricket player would envy.

    As  Vikrant might say: when you’ve got the Hitman, Pandya, Sky, Rishabh, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor on your team sheet, century-making becomes considerably easier.

  • My11circle partners with JioStar as co-presenting partner for TATA IPL

    My11circle partners with JioStar as co-presenting partner for TATA IPL

    MUMBAI: Cricket fever in India is no joke, and this year, the excitement just got bigger. My11circle has partnered with JioStar as a co-presenting partner for the official digital streaming of TATA IPL 2025. That’s right—fantasy cricket just levelled up, and fans are in for an even more immersive, edge-of-the-seat experience.

    This move cements My11circle’s position at the heart of cricket fandom, tapping into JioStar’s massive digital reach across mobile and connected devices. The brand, already an official associate partner of TATA IPL, is now in its second year of a five-year commitment to the marquee tournament. And if there’s one thing this deal guarantees, it’s a season packed with adrenaline-pumping cricket and non-stop engagement.

    My11circle’s goal? Bringing cricket fans closer to the action than ever before. And with this partnership, they’re doing just that.

    “The passion for IPL in India is undeniable, and we are dedicated to providing users with an even more dynamic and immersive experience. At My11circle, our focus has always been on our users. Partnering with JioStar as a co-presenting partner helps us blend seamlessly with the digital viewing experience, taking fan engagement to the next level. Together, we’re creating a platform that not only celebrates cricket but also brings fans closer to the action,” said Games24x7 COO Saroj Panigrahi.

    By aligning with JioStar, My11circle is now set to engage with millions of cricket fans streaming TATA IPL 2025 digitally, ensuring deeper interaction, real-time participation, and an overall next-gen fantasy sports experience. This partnership doesn’t just make watching cricket fun—it turns every match into a high-stakes, immersive event where fans can test their skills, make strategic calls, and win big.

    With its rapidly growing fantasy sports community, My11circle continues to push boundaries, using cutting-edge technology and a seamless platform to redefine the cricket fan experience. 
     

  • Games24x7 welcomes Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal to My11Circle family

    Games24x7 welcomes Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal to My11Circle family

    Mumbai: Games24x7, India’s most user-centric, scientific, and innovative online skill-gaming platform, onboards cricket prodigies Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal as new brand ambassadors for My11Circle, a leading fantasy sports platform. The dynamic duo will join My11Circle’s family of sporting talent ahead of the upcoming cricket season and will be featured in the platform’s major brand campaigns. With the emerging talent’s significant fan following, My11Circle hopes to strike a chord with both longtime enthusiasts and fresh fans of the sport, offering patrons the chance to witness their beloved players featured prominently in the platform’s campaigns.

    Rinku Singh, renowned for his powerful hitting and ability to turn the game in a matter of overs, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, known for his elegant stroke play and remarkable consistency, bring a unique blend of talent and charisma to My11Circle’s ambassador roster. With an expanded family of cricketing sensations like Saurav Ganguly, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ruturaj Gaikwad, alongside recent additions Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal, My11Circle stands ready to captivate cricket fans nationwide.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Games24x7 COO Saroj Panigrahi said, “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the newest members of our My11Circle family. Their addition not only brings immense talent but also a shared passion for cricket that resonates deeply with fans across the nation. Beyond their remarkable on-field performances, it’s their ability to forge connections with fans that truly sets them apart. This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to fostering a community where fans can immerse themselves in the game they love, blending skill with sheer excitement. Together, we’re creating an inclusive platform that celebrates the spirit of cricket and brings fans closer to the heart of the action.”

    Rinku Singh, known for his explosive batting and remarkable performances, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “Joining hands with My11Circle and becoming part of their star-studded ambassador line-up is a fantastic opportunity. The platform resonates with the passion and energy of cricket fans, providing them with a unique and immersive gaming experience. I am looking forward to being  part of My11Circle’s journey in bringing fans closer to the sport they love.”

    Yashasvi Jaiswal, a rising star in Indian cricket known for his impressive skills, also shared his excitement about the collaboration. He said, “Fantasy sports have added a new dimension to the game, engaging passionate followers of the sport, and I am thrilled to be a part of My11Circle’s journey. As a cricketer, I understand the importance of strategy and skill, and My11Circle offers unique experiences for players with different playing styles creating the perfect space for gamers to leverage their personal strengths. I look forward to collaborating with the brand to create memorable experiences for cricket enthusiasts across the country.”

    As cricket fans across the nation gear up for an action-packed cricket season, they can expect a host of exciting contests, engaging content, and exclusive opportunities to showcase their knowledge and skills on My11Circle, providing them with an unparalleled gaming experience where every match offers an opportunity to engage, entertain, and win big.

  • Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara joins FantasyDangal as brand ambassador

    Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara joins FantasyDangal as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Fantasy sports platform FantasyDangal has announced the onboarding of cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara as its brand ambassador. With the collaboration, Pujara will appear in upcoming campaigns and promote FantasyDangal as an established fantasy sports platform.

    Pujara is the second-fastest Indian to reach 1,000 test runs. He has scored 6,792 runs in 96 Tests, including three double centuries and 18 centuries. In India’s first Test Series victory on Australian territory, his three hundreds helped him win the Man of the Series title. He has been a pillar of the Indian batting order for the most of the past ten years.

    A batsman of rare disposition, with his love for grinding down attacks, Pujara has been India’s preferred one-down batsman for years. He is also known for his unbelievable attributes of dependability and trustworthiness in the Indian cricket scene. Hence, the partnership between the batting stalwart and FantasyDangal will bring an influx of sports enthusiasts to the platform and further cement the platform’s position as one of the country’s most trustworthy and user-friendly fantasy sports platforms.

    The company has also launched a customer loyalty programme, under which participants in fantasy sports are eligible to take entirely sponsored trips outside India for free. In addition to the numerous benefits associated with playing on FantasyDangal, users also enjoy the benefits of lightning-fast withdrawals to enjoy their gameplay.

    Speaking on his appointment, Pujara commented, “Sports enthusiasts are increasingly embracing fantasy sports in the country. With FantasyDangal, you are not just playing for entertainment but also learning how to master fantasy sports. As a brand ambassador, I am excited to collaborate with such a dynamic company.”

    As a fast-developing fantasy sports platform with over two million current active users, FantasyDangal aims to become India’s next-door online fantasy sports paradise. With cricket and kabaddi in its existing catalogue, it plans to add new sports to its repertoire, like football and basketball, in the coming days. Other than classic fantasy, they also have batting, bowling, and innuendo fantasy. The platform provides second innings fantasy with a twist where one needs to select only seven players, which involves strategy compared to selecting eleven players.

    Apart from this, they have a loyalty programme in the industry called the Dangal MVP (most valuable player) programme, which involves cashbacks, rewards, and fully sponsored international trips for the users. Trips abroad and live match experiences from the stadium make this programme unique, where users can experience seeing matches live on their app.

    FantasyDangal business head Ankit Anand said, “Cheteshwar Pujara has set some unmatched records in global cricket and is regarded as one of the best batsmen. Besides being a world-class player, he also represents trust and reliability in Indian cricket, which ties in seamlessly with FantasyDangal’s ethos. Our connection with him sets us on a journey where we picture perfection due to our never-ending efforts to excel in our field and provide the best experience to our dedicated users.”

  • FIFS welcomes MIB’s advisories against illegal offshore betting platforms ads

    FIFS welcomes MIB’s advisories against illegal offshore betting platforms ads

    Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the industry’s self-regulatory body, has welcomed the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) decision not to allow private television channels, digital news publishers, and OTT platforms to broadcast/show advertisements for online betting sites and surrogate ads. The federation lauds the ministry for the move that reiterates FIFS’ stand against this menace. FIFS said that it has previously emphasised the need for identification and prohibition of offshore business activities to ensure consumer interest safeguards.

    FIFS DG Joy Bhattacharjya said, “We thank the ministry of information and broadcasting for this important step. As FIFS, we have been creating awareness about the need for demarcation between the legitimate and illegitimate players in the online gaming ecosystem to ensure unwarranted elements like offshore betting and gambling don’t see a rise and adversely impact consumer interests. This move from the ministry will ensure that Indian citizens are educated about the risks on these platforms and do not get lured or trapped by the same. We are hopeful that this initiative will lead to further stringent action on these players by other arms of the government as well.”

    As a big and positive step towards consumer interest protection, on 3 October 2022, MIB issued an advisory to private television channels, digital news publishers, and OTT platforms to refrain from showing advertisements for online betting sites and surrogate advertisements for such sites.

    In the advisories issued by the government, a clear stand has been taken by MIB against direct and surrogate advertisements of offshore betting platforms, saying that it may also invite penal action for the broadcasters. The advisories also stated that since betting and gambling are illegal in most parts of the country, advertisements for these betting platforms as well as their surrogates are also illegal and should not be shown to Indian consumers.

    The ministry, in its advisory, clearly highlighted that such offshore betting websites use news as a surrogate product to advertise their betting platforms, especially in the digital medium. The advisories mentioned that in these cases, there is a striking resemblance between the logo of the news platform and the betting website. The advisories also clarified that since betting and gambling are illegal in most parts of India, so are their advertisements, direct or surrogate. MIB mentioned the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Cable TV Network Regulation Act 1995 and the IT Rules 2021 to issue the advisories.

    FIFS added that it takes consumer interest protection very seriously and recently revised and strengthened its charter in order to promote innovation with responsible growth for the fantasy sports industry. The new charter emphasises the role of the Fantasy Sports Regulatory Authority (FSRA), an independent self-regulatory body committed to promoting standardised best practises in fantasy sports.

  • GUEST ARTICLE: Is Google’s pilot project on fantasy sports likely to alter the course of online gaming?

    GUEST ARTICLE: Is Google’s pilot project on fantasy sports likely to alter the course of online gaming?

    Mumbai: Fantasy sports began in 1962 with a football fantasy league. Since then, its popularity has skyrocketed, mainly due to superior connectivity, dynamic needs for social interaction, the availability of avant-garde smartphones, enhanced demographics, a spike in disposable income, and an expansion in the youth population base. The global fantasy sports market is anticipated to reach $34.66 billion by 2027, rising at a CAGR of 11.47 per cent.

    However, the Indian fantasy sports market gained popularity around two decades back in 2001, when ESPN Star Sports launched the ‘Super Selector Fantasy Game.’ The game’s popularity grew exponentially and garnered over 5,00,000 participants in 2003. The game was the brainchild of the current Fantasy Sports (FIFS) director general Joy Bhattacharjya.

    Fantasy sports participation has surged by 2,500 per cent over the last decade. The number alone demonstrates the enormous fan base of the niche domain in India. Fantasy sports are undoubtedly becoming a forum for crafting gaming strategies and boosting virtual sportsmanship. By the end of 2022, India will have over 829 million smartphone users, increasing the number of sports enthusiasts participating in fantasy sports. The present count of mobile gamers in India is 430 million. It is anticipated to grow to 650 million by 2025.

    With the advent of television, digital, and online gaming models leading to an increase in online gaming sites over the last several years, the gaming sector has undergone a radical transformation. According to an EY report, online gaming is the leading category in the entertainment sector, with a penetration rate of 55 per cent.

    What are Fantasy Sports?

    Fantasy sports are digital sports engagement platforms enabling users to strategically build virtual teams with proxies of actual sports players participating in a forthcoming match (or match-day). The competition in these DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) platforms is based on the real-world statistical performances of these players in one full, officially sanctioned sports match. The users act as the coach or manager, possessing the authority to drop, recruit, or trade a player they desire.

    Proper knowledge of the sport, an adept understanding of the weather and ground conditions, and a cognisance of the real-life sports person’s strengths and weaknesses are crucial to selecting the fantasy squad.

    “Games Of Skill” vs “Games Of Chance”

    The gaming industry in India is segmented into the offline gaming sector (gaming clubs & casinos) and the online gaming sector (gaming websites). Business entities constitute almost the entire chunk of operators in the abovementioned segments. These entities are registered as private limited companies in India.

    Furthermore, the Indian legislation has bifurcated the gaming industry into two broad divisions, viz., “games of skill” and “games of chance,” to regulate the industry’s monetary offerings.

    A skill-based game is one wherein the outcome primarily depends on the players’ skills and not on a chance event. They are, hence, considered legal in social settings, clubs, casinos, and online. The popular online games in India that are recognised as games of skill include horse racing, rummy, and fantasy sports.

    On the contrary, “Games of Chance” depend on luck and advocate gambling. Thus, they are prohibited, and the practise can lead to legal repercussions.

    But Google has now decided to run a “limited-time application-only pilot programme permitting real-money games (RMG) like DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) and rummy apps by developers incorporated in India to be distributed to users on the Google Play Store in India. The pilot run will start on 28 September 2022, and through 28 September 2023.

    All applicants must complete the application process successfully to be accepted to participate in the pilot programme and will be eligible to distribute their apps on Google Play for the duration mentioned earlier.

    The reason Google cited for making this significant move is to keep in mind the rapid evolution of the fantasy gaming sector and gather sufficient data about any potential user damage and the security of such apps. The unpredictable nature of the regulatory landscape in the online gaming industry has been very evident in the past. Several states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, among others, have outlawed fantasy gaming apps despite favourable rulings by the Supreme Court and other high courts that they are games of skill and are, therefore, legitimate.

    Developers must ensure that users dwelling in jurisdictions where DFS and rummy apps are not allowed and are refrained from accessing their apps.

    Will Google’s temporary nod to RMG games on Play Store be a game changer?

    The introduction of fantasy games on Google Play could be a revolutionary move impacting app developers and users. It would definitely help the industry grow much faster, increasing awareness of these games and consequently boosting user participation. The move would also expand the Play Store’s user base by reaching out to gamers who were previously unable to access these games on the store.

    However, it will be an arduous task for Google to retain its user base and developers and simultaneously adhere to government and other internal policies.

    The developers chosen for the test programme won’t be able to leverage Google’s in-app payment system; instead, they will need to provide substitute third-party billing options within their apps. Google will adhere to its service fee policy for similar apps globally and will not add a commission to transactions done on these apps.

    Earlier this week, Google released a statement mentioning that, as part of a pilot initiative, it will permit developers of non-gaming Android apps from several nations, including India, to provide third-party payment choices, reducing the service fee of 15–30 per cent by four per cent.

    Current scenario and the way forward

    With a user base of 13 crores, India is the fastest-growing FS market, with a CAGR of 32 per cent expected in the coming years. In other words, the industry is projected to grow from Rs 34,600 crore in FY21 to an estimated Rs 1,65,000 crore by FY25, per FIFS estimates. 50 per cent of transactions on FS platforms are initiated from tier two and three cities.

    Cricket, with a whopping 85 percent market share, captured the most significant chunk of the fantasy gaming universe, followed by soccer, hockey, and others. Cricket is anticipated to generate Rs 73,000 crore of CEA for FSPs by FY25, up from Rs 25,000 crore in FY21. The critical user demographic falls into the 25–40-year bracket (59 per cent of the total user base). One of the key findings is that 80 per cent of fantasy sports users participate in free contests.

    Skill-gaming operators must adopt and enforce a high degree of governance and self-regulation in light of the current regulatory environment. The industry has taken or proposed several steps, such as interacting with stakeholders and users to get a clear picture of the needs and expectations after identifying the necessity for self-regulation.

    The trailblazing growth of fantasy sports with every passing day has attracted investments of over $112 million in the past five years. The industry has garnered foreign direct investment of Rs 10,000 crore so far and is expected to attract over Rs 15,000 crore over the next three years.

    The introduction of 5G would alleviate technical disruptions and eliminate latency and low concurrency problems, enabling a broader user base to participate in a tighter-knit gaming community. The transition to 5G, alongside the incorporation of AR and VR into sports and cloud gaming, will pave the way for the next big wave.

    Additionally, the sector has significantly contributed to generating employment in the nation. By 2023, it is anticipated that the potential for growth in creating jobs will increase to more than 5,000 in direct employment and more than 7,000 in ancillary jobs.

    The author of this article is AdCounty Media global mobile business head Kumar Saurav.

  • PlayerzPot to cross 10 crore users by March 2023, aims to become top fantasy and casual gaming platforms in next five years: Sunil Yadav

    PlayerzPot to cross 10 crore users by March 2023, aims to become top fantasy and casual gaming platforms in next five years: Sunil Yadav

    Mumbai: Co-founded by Yogesh Doiphode and Mitesh Gangar in 2015, PlayerzPot is a fantasy sports arena which blends the excitement and thrill of real-world sports with fantasy gaming. Whether it is cricket, football, kabaddi, basketball or baseball, it allows players to experience their favourite games on multiple levels, along with earning real money. PlayerzPot offers users the liberty of choosing their own league, players, and lucky pot. The company said that it offers a customer-centric approach, hassle-free payment options, best-in-town referral programmes and an unflagging spirit.

    PlayerzPot was started in 2015 from a small garage in Airoli, Mumbai, by the co-founders who shared the same passion for fantasy sports and a vision to build India’s best fantasy sports platform. Being first time entrepreneurs, the initial days trying to grow the company were accompanied by hard lessons and experiences. But taking these as learning opportunities and course correcting their strategies to innovate and adapt, PlayerzPot was revamped in 2017 and was the first to come up with concepts like ‘Refer & Earn for Lifetime’ along with the option of instant withdrawals, in India. Since then, the platform has continued to add more features. PlayerzPot recently roped in cricketers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Smriti Mandhana as its brand ambassadors.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with PlayerzPot Media CEO Sunil Yadav. His association with PlayerzPot goes way back, right to its inception in 2015 as a consultant and then joined as a marketing director in 2019. He was then elevated as a CEO in 2021 and he continued to spearhead the company’s vision of being India’s ultimate gaming destination.

    Under his able leadership, PlayerzPot successfully introduced Skilled based Casual Gaming and a plethora of consumer loyalty programs that kept users returning to the platform in spite of no sports events in a tough year like 2020. He has also laid the framework for PlayerzPot getting into Real Money Gaming at the right time. 

    Apart from that, he is an avid traveller, and loves exploring new places. He believes he is a lifelong student, and even in his down time, he likes reading case studies and researching market growth strategies.

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the market gap that was witnessed by the brand when it launched seven years back

    Sunil: PlayerzPot started in 2015 from a small garage in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, with a vision to become a one-point destination for the Indian online gaming community. Considering the invincible craze of cricket in our nation and our love for IPL, we wanted to channel that excitement for sports in every Indian by offering a gamut of fantasy games. Our primary aim was to bridge the gap between reality and acceptance of fantasy sports. That’s how PlayerzPot was born. The first version of PlayerzPot was web-based. It was launched in April 2016 and our first mobile app was launched in April 2018.

    The situation presented an opportunity to learn from on-ground glitches. We noted the challenges, revised our strategies with a user-first approach and introduced unique features such as ‘Refer & Earn’, ‘Instant Withdrawals’, and ‘private game’. These features eventually helped us to build credibility and trust. As a result, in six years, we surpassed the 10 million user base and continued to outshine user expectations with rich fantasy and casual games. 

    On USPs of the company

    Sunil: We offer a wide range of gaming action with nine fantasy sports, 15+ casual games and three card games on our platform. We are engaged in constant research and development to provide an excellent gaming experience through USPs such as refer & earn quick withdrawal, 24*7 customer support, leaderboard, free leagues, and user retention policies. We analyse user journeys, behaviours, and gameplay time and curate our offerings to individual users to increase their stickiness. As a brand, we promote responsible gaming and thus provide a complete secured registration process and payment gateways.

    On how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the company’s business 

    Sunil: Before the pandemic turned the world upside down, online gaming has been largely considered a hobby or just another mode of entertainment. Today, people are charting their entrepreneurial careers in online gaming, a sector expected to become a community of 510 million gamers by 2022-end, as per KPMG. In terms of revenue, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21 per cent over the next five years, meaning that it will reach $3.84 billion. Such encouraging statistics are based on the rising interest of Gen Z and millennial gamers. The multifarious roles in the employment generation of this sector have encouraged the Centre to take note of gaming as a great source of domestic and global investment.

    During the pandemic, there were no fantasy sports available for users. Understanding the pulse of the users, we decided to diversify ourselves by offering casual games on our platform. PlayerzPot, being an industry leader as one of the fastest-growing super gaming apps with 1 crore+ users, turned tables by launching 15+ casual games in less than two years. Our massively successful IPL 2022 campaign #CricketKaBhoot garnered a resounding reach, close to 500 million and a 300 per cent revenue jump in fantasy gaming. We grew 3X on our user base year-on-year and launched over seven casual games. We partnered with Indian cricketers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Smriti Mandhana, and the new sensation, Rashmika Mandanna, were landmark moves to boost our popularity in the evolving gaming community in the country. 

    On the business model of the company 

    Sunil: We offer three different categories of skilled games viz., fantasy games, casual games and card games, which are our key revenue generators. The model is as per industry standards and as the guidelines of the All India Gaming Federation.

    On the growth of the gaming industry

    Sunil: Technology is the life force of online gaming, and the Indian industry has always been one of the earliest adopters of advanced tech to create new demands for users. With the lockdown directing first-timers to online gaming as a new mode of entertainment, the gamers’ community have grown in leaps and bounds.

    We see a welcome change in the gender ratio of gamers, as women have started playing actively. As real-money gaming rises exponentially, proper checks and balances need to be there in the form of simplified regulations to encourage safe, responsible gaming.

    On how the platform is boosting its offerings to attract users 

    Sunil: Advertising and marketing play important roles in spreading awareness about services, new launches, offers, prizes, competitions, and other relevant information about the platform to the target group. It is very important to communicate the right message, that too through multiple marketing channels. 

    We at PlayerzPot keep a 70 per cent share of our annual profits for marketing activities and campaigns. This IPL season, we had the #CricketKaBhoot campaign live on social media channels, short-format video platforms and the OTT platform of Hotstar. This collaboration garnered a unique reach of close to 500 million, pan-India participation with a 50 per cent increase in registrations and 30 per cent of early users returning to the platform. The successful collaboration reinforced the importance of OTT platforms and short video sharing apps and thus helped to reach the masses.

    On the regulation that the gaming industry requires

    Sunil: There has been a major disconnect between the rising popularity of online gaming and the dearth of awareness and regulations for the same. This creates confusion between skilled-based gaming and gambling. 

    I believe that the increase in GST from 18 per cent to 28 per cent, would also help to have a concrete set of regulations, which will assist the entire ecosystem. It may initially be a speed-breaker by tightening the cash flow and slowing down the growth momentum in gaming initially, but it will bring online gaming under the legal framework and thus, attract global investments because of its credibility from the government.  

    On challenges in terms of tech hiring and mobile gaming segment 

    Sunil: Gaming is a developing industry in India, and its impressive growth can be attributed to better internet penetration in remote corners of the country and increasing affordability of feature-rich smartphones. With such an easy entry point, the industry is bound to grow with new career opportunities being created regularly.

    Yet, there is a considerable lack of tech-skilled talent in a market flooded with new technology every other day. Since there is some uncertainty associated with a growing industry, tech professionals tend to avoid online gaming as a career option. Therefore, the biggest challenge gaming brands are taking head-on is hiring talented tech professionals at all levels to manage technical operations and services online.

    On the role of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in business and the use of non-fungible tokens

    Sunil: Online gaming has levelled up with new technologies such as AI, ML, and Data Science, aided by tech-savvy young players. The market is very competitive, and players are diversifying models with AR and VR to excite users.

    Metaverse is going to be a litmus test for Indian online gaming brands facing the challenge of building a breath-taking virtual reality experience. Tapping on real-time emotional responses, gamers will also be rewarded with play-to-earn concepts allowing them to win virtual gaming items, trade them and earn physical money. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will improve ownership of digital and physical assets on the blockchain and thus, make the metaverse more exciting. On the other hand, AI integration will check any form of data leak, ensure a safe environment for gamers, and appeal to investment based on trust.

    As one of the leading fantasy gaming platforms, we are exploring suitable possibilities on the metaverse by creating unique selling propositions (USPs) and minimum viable product (MVP) building with some scalable tech architecture designs, market rollout strategy, and customer engagement strategy.

    On the plans of growth of users, increasing revenue, expansion and funding

    Sunil: Currently, PlayerzPot has over 10 million active users and is focusing on launching more skilled games, with other exciting offerings for RMG enthusiasts. We predict an addition of 1 crore + users by March 2023 and are set out to become one of the topmost fantasy and casual gaming platforms, five years down the line.

    Self-sustenance is vital for PlayerzPot to achieve that goal, and we plan to do that through the launch of various card games and entry into the NFT space. We also plan to incorporate metaverse aspects in our technology roadmap to create USPs in the virtual world. As far as acquisitions and investments are concerned, we look forward to investing in talented companies who share our long-term vision of becoming a major contributor to Indian online gaming.

  • Customer centricity is our single biggest USP, says Fantasy Akhada’s founder SK Jha

    Customer centricity is our single biggest USP, says Fantasy Akhada’s founder SK Jha

    Mumbai: In the fast growing world of gaming there are several players in Fantasy Sport. Fantasy platform Fantasy Akhada, while being a late entrant, says that it has managed excellent growth. Backed by popular cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, the company says that it is an initiative of hard core sports lovers who understand the fan and fantasy sports. Fantasy Akhada provides a platform, covering fantasy cricket, fantasy kabaddi, fantasy basketball and fantasy football, where users can come, play, and win contests.

    The brand claims to have close to 2.5 million users currently. The platform has held 40 lakh contests and claims to have disbursed Rs 200 crore in cash winnings. Indiantelevision.com caught up with Fantasy Akhada founder Sumit Kumar Jha to find out more on the company’s plans.

    Jha is an alumnus of leading universities like XLRI Jamshedpur and NIT Jamshedpur. Being a business enthusiast who strives for growth, he has a demonstrated history of experience in Product Management, Customer Analytics, Customer Life-Cycle Management, Loyalty Program Management, Mobile Internet, and P&L Management. Sumit Kumar Jha has profound domain knowledge and hands-on experience of over 8 years across different industries including Automobile, Telecom, Fashion & Retail industries and furthermore, earned 7 months of international project work experience.

    He began his career with Tata Motors and after completing his MBA, joined the coveted Aditya Birla Group Leadership Program. He was deputed at Idea Cellular Limited (Now Vodafone Idea Limited) where he worked for 5 years prior to beginning his own venture-Fantasy Akhada. The rich experience that he gained in his professional journey has moulded a solid foundation of his entrepreneurial vision.

    Edited excerpts:

    On the traction that fantasy sports are getting vis-a-vis other areas of gaming and esports.

    The love for cricket and the development of other sports, on the back of domestic leagues, has increased the level of interest in sports for all Indians. Fantasy sports share a very symbiotic relationship with live sports and thus the excitement of FS coupled with the love for sports is driving major growth in the Fantasy Sports market in India.

    However, we believe that the growth of the overall gaming ecosystem will drive individual growths like fantasy sports, e-sports, etc. There must be an overall acceptance of the gaming community in Indian households; to ensure the next level of growth for this sunrise sector.

    On the challenges that Fantasy Akhada faced as a late entrant

    We believe that if we let the timing of entry into the industry bother us, Fantasy Akhada would not have been able to become one of the top five fantasy sports apps in the country. All of us, founders, were ardent fantasy sports users before launching Fantasy Akhada. We realised that there is a clear need for a platform that believed in the highest level of customer and sports centricity.

    While we believed in our vision and the need for such a product, it took a lot of marketing push as well as the highest level of customer service to stand out amongst the clutter of the other 180 platforms. Post the IPL in 2022, on the back of a viral marketing campaign feat. Ali Fazal and Harsha Bhogle, we can confidently say that we have been able to make a significant mark in the space.

    On the sports that the company is actively involved in

    We currently provide customers with the opportunity to play four sports. The number was three until a week back; we added fantasy basketball in the first week of July. So as of today, Fantasy Akhada offers fantasy cricket, fantasy football, fantasy kabaddi and fantasy basketball.

    On whether cricket dominates activity on the platform.

    Cricket, no doubt, is by far the most loved sport on all Fantasy Sports platforms in the country. However, owing to our sports centricity, we have always done our 100 per cent towards each sport; and that shows in the numbers as well. Football, for example, contributes almost 15-20 per cent of our overall revenue and this has been made possible by hosting games, even in major leagues, that are exclusively available on Fantasy Akhada.

    Kabaddi, also, was an excellent launch for us with the Pro Kabaddi League in December 2021. We are hoping to get some good traction on basketball as well, a sport that has been launched in response to rising customer demand.

    On Fantasy Akhada’s USP is in a competitive arena where the entry barrier is very low

    As mentioned earlier, our single biggest USP is customer-centricity. In the context of fantasy sports, it means doing the basic tasks well like instant withdrawal, 24*7 customer service to customer delight activities like international trips, regular leader boards with amazing prizes, etc.

    Apart from this, we focus on our commitment to increasing sports engagement and ensure that all our marketing activities are in line with sports development.

    On the impact of Covid on fantasy sports

    Barring the first month of the worldwide lockdown, when the sport was either not happening or restricted to smaller leagues in countries like Belarus, etc. Covid has not had a very negative impact on our business.

    Personally, for us at Fantasy Akhada, it was the time that we had just started, and it gave us the opportunity and time to work on a lot of things which we hadn’t envisaged before the launch. To summarise, we came out stronger and provided a better experience post with the initial Covid blip.

    On the direction that regulation should take

    We believe that more clarity on regulation will help the Industry grow multifold. The lack of clarity on the regulations hurts the business. We, along with other FS platforms, are working with the central government to build a well-structured framework that will help all platforms in the country.

    On the role that Harsha Bhogle plays

    Harsha Bhogle joined the Fantasy Akhada team in June 2020 as a brand ambassador and investor. Since then he has been, more than his role, a great mentor for the entire organisation. We have been lucky to have his guidance in various decisions and also his support in getting a lot of things done, which would have otherwise been very challenging for us.

    On the activity seen on the platform during the recently concluded IPL

    IPL is the highlight event for all FS platforms in India; primarily due to the love for cricket that the customers have and also the short duration of matches – which helps them rotate money quickly. Apart from the growth in value of transactions, it is one of the best times for user acquisition, not only for FS platforms but for brands across industries.

    In terms of Fantasy Akhada, we had the biggest IPL, on the back of our first IPL campaign that went live on the Star Sports Network. The virality of the campaign, backed by our previously highlighted USPs, helped us catapult the growth of users to the next level. We had set out on a target of 100 per cent increase in our numbers over the two months of IPL, and we were able to comfortably achieve the same. Another great success has been that these users have stayed back with the platform post the IPL, increasing the overall base of our transactions.

    On expansion plans abroad

    Currently, we are present only in India – and allow only residents of India to play on our app. We have plans to spread our wings to other nations and currently, we are evaluating the right countries that fit our business and plans.