Vikas Sn: Read latest news from Moneycontrol journalist/contributor Vikas Sn

STARTUP

Nazara-backed Baazi Games to cut over 200 jobs after govt's real-money gaming ban

The job cuts at the PokerBaazi parent firm comes after the government introduced a new online gaming law that has imposed a blanket ban on real-money games in the country.

STARTUP

MPL to significantly downsize its India workforce after govt's real-money gaming ban

MPL and other real-money gaming firms had suspended contests and games involving money on their platforms after the Parliament passed the online gaming law that prohibits such games.

STARTUP

Online gaming law: Karnataka HC to hear Head Digital Works' interim relief plea on September 8

Head Digital Works, which operates the online rummy platform A23 Rummy, had approached the Karnataka High Court on April 28, challenging the constitutional validity of the government's new online gaming law.

STARTUP

Gaming platform MPL won't contest real-money gaming ban

MPL joins a growing list of companies, including Dream11 parent Dream Sports, Gameskraft, Zupee, and PokerBaazi parent firm Moonshine Technology, which have decided not to challenge the law

STARTUP

A23 owner Head Digital Works moves Karnataka High Court against real-money gaming ban

This marks the first legal challenge to the promotion and regulation online gaming law. The high court is expected to hear the matter on August 30.

STARTUP

After Dream11 and Gameskraft, Zupee says it won't challenge India's real-money gaming ban

Zupee plans to shift its focus to developing online social games and entertainment avenues that "go beyond mere recreation"

STARTUP

99% of Dream11's 260 million users never won or lost more than Rs 10,000 in their lifetime, says co-founder Harsh Jain

Dream Sports CEO Harsh Jain said that regulation would have been the right approach to address the issue of societal impact and financial distress linked to RMG apps, as prohibition is likely to increase the prevalence of a black market.

STARTUP

Nazara, nCore Games, others form new video game association after online gaming law

Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association aims to promote the creation of original Made-in-India IP, bring Indian stories into gaming, and skill-building across the AVGC value chain.

STARTUP

Dream11 co-founder Harsh Jain rules out layoffs after govt's RMG ban, says 'All the talent here is safe'

'We are interested in building with this talent to dig ourselves out of this hole’ said Harsh Jain, the co-founder of the co-founder of Dream Sports, the parent company of embattled fantasy sports major Dream11.

STARTUP

MC interview: “Lost 95% of revenues, 100% of profits, but remain a delusional optimist”: Dream11 founder Harsh Jain on real money gaming ban

Dream Sports CEO Harsh Jain described India's gaming law as an unexpected knockout punch but said he remains “a delusional optimist”, revealing a “two-year cash runway” which would help him retain talent.

STARTUP

Dream11 parent won't fight Indian government over real-money gaming ban, says co-founder Harsh Jain

Fantasy sports platform Dream11, which stopped paid contests last week, accounts for 95 percent of the revenues of Dream Sports and 100 percent of its profits.

STARTUP

WinZO turns to micro dramas, US expansion after India's real-money gaming ban

WinZO's US expansion comes two years after its foray into Brazil in October 2023, following the government's introduction of a 28 percent GST on real-money gaming apps.

BUSINESS

Dream11 parent forays into wealth tech after gaming ban, pilots new FD and gold investment app

Dream Money enables people to buy gold or set up a SIP on a daily or monthly basis, starting from Rs 10. It also offers fixed deposit investments from Rs 1,000.

STARTUP

Online Gaming Bill: Dream11 parent firm, Gameskraft, Zupee, MPL begin suspending its RMG offerings

The proposed gaming law explicitly prohibits the offering of online money games or RMG apps, with penalties of up to three years of imprisonment or fines of Rs 1 crore for violations.

STARTUP

Online Gaming Bill: Kavin Bharti Mittal's Rush to exit India following government’s proposed RMG ban

Rush, a casual RMG platform from Kavin Bharti Mittal's Hike, now intends to focus entirely on the United States and other global markets like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE

Games24x7 seeks to back AI, inclusive tech startups from India's smaller cities

Games24x7’s accelerator, TechXpedite, will broaden its scope to cover AI-driven skill development and inclusive technologies in its third edition

BUSINESS

Bhavin Turakhia-led Titan partners with GoDaddy for business email push in developing markets

GoDaddy will integrate Titan’s email product into its Professional Email product, aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs.

TECHNOLOGY

OpenAI's ChatGPT pilots rupee pricing in India

ChatGPT is offering its Plus tier for Rs 1,999 per month to customers in India while the costlier Pro tier is available for Rs 19,900 per month.

BUSINESS

AI entertainment startup Dashverse raises $13 million funding led by Peak XV Partners

Dashverse is building AI-powered tools and platforms such as DashReels and Frameo.AI to help creators develop mobile-first entertainment content

TECHNOLOGY

Snap restructures engineering teams, places monetisation unit under Ajit Mohan

Snapchat’s parent saw a slowdown in advertising growth in Q2 2025, hurt by an ad platform glitch and intensifying competition.

TECHNOLOGY

Google's Gemini now lets users create personalised storybooks with audio narration

Gemini's Storybook feature allows people to upload their own photos or files to bring personal artwork or memories to life or explain complex topics to young children.