WinZO

Gaming · Esports · Social Gaming

Expansion

WinZO enters US market as India bans real-money online gaming

Rivals such as Dream11 and MPL have shut down their real-money businesses entirely, while WinZO pivots to skill-based games and pushes overseas expansion.

• WinZO launched in the United States, marking its entry into three of the world's four largest gaming markets after India and a 2023 debut in Brazil.
• The Indian company runs esports, social gaming and interactive entertainment products for roughly 250 million users in India, backed by Kalaari Capital, Griffin Gaming Partners, Courtside Ventures, Makers Fund and Bain Capital co-chair Steve Pagliuca.
• India's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans all real-money online gaming, forcing rivals Dream11, MPL, Games24x7 and Zupee to shut down their real-money businesses.
• WinZO said it would withdraw real-money offerings in India from August 22 while pivoting to skill-based, non-monetary formats that remain legal under the new law.
• Alongside the US debut, WinZO rolled out ZO TV, a short-video format, and is testing WinZO TV, a bite-sized drama feature for Indian users who can no longer play for stakes.
• The launch shows how India's gaming operators are splitting into two camps: those exiting real-money products entirely and those redirecting capital toward global, skill-based growth.