Aman064: starting new info...

2026-03-10T12:36:03Z

starting new info...

New page

{{Short description|Indian online gaming company}}
{{orphan|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Games24x7
| logo = The logo for Games24x7.png
| former_name =
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = Online gaming, Technology
| founded = 2006
| founder = Bhavin Pandya <br>Trivikraman Thampy
| hq_location_city = [[Mumbai]]
| hq_location_country = [[India]]
| area_served = India
| parent = Play Games24x7
| website = [https://www.games24x7.com/ Official website]
}}

'''Games24x7''' is an Indian online gaming company<ref>{{Cite news |last=S |first=Mohamed Imranullah |date=2023-03-10 |title=Mumbai-based online gaming firm moves HC against CB-CID notice |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mumbai-based-online-gaming-firm-moves-hc-against-cb-cid-notice/article66604470.ece |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Pooja |date=2024-01-08 |title=SC Seeks Centre's Reply On Pleas Of Games24x7, Head Digital Works On GST Notice |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/sc-seeks-centres-reply-on-pleas-of-games24x7-head-digital-works-on-gst-notice/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref> founded in 2006, and headquartered in [[Mumbai|Mumbai, India]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sil |first=Debarghya |date=2022-11-07 |title=Games24x7 Slips Into The Red, Posts Loss Of INR 230 Cr In FY22 As Revenue Plunges |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/games24x7-slips-into-the-red-posts-loss-of-inr-230-cr-in-fy22-as-revenue-plunges/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref> The company is known for its games like RummyCircle and My11Circle.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Storyboard18 - How Games24x7 Is Levelling Up To Leverage The Gaming Boom In India |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/storyboard18/storyboard18-how-games24x7-is-levelling-up-to-leverage-the-gaming-boom-in-india/73541/1 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Prasid |date=2020-12-01 |title=Poker, rummy platforms turn to technology to tackle irresponsible gaming |url=https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/poker-rummy-platforms-turn-to-technology-to-tackle-irresponsible-gaming-11606809030596.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-10 |title=Tamil Nadu gambling law: Online rummy, poker firms block users from playing real money games |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/tamil-nadu-gambling-law-online-rummy-poker-firms-block-users-from-playing-real-money-games-9304421.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}</ref> It has offices in [[Mumbai]], [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]], [[New Delhi]], and [[Miami]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=2021-04-21 |title=Games24x7 eyes US expansion with casual games |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/games24x7-eyes-us-expansion-with-casual-games/articleshow/82180119.cms |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> As of 2022, the company was valued at $2.5 billion following a $75 million fundraising round.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=India's Gaming Sector Is Spawning Unicorns. But The Future Is Uncertain |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/unicorn-tracker/indias-gaming-sector-is-spawning-unicorns-but-the-future-is-uncertain/80037/1 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Games 24x7: How Bhavin Pandya And Trivikraman Thampy Turned Wild Cards Into A Winning Hand |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/sports-tech-special/games-24x7-how-bhavin-pandya-and-trivikraman-thampy-turned-wild-cards-into-a-winning-hand/77149/1 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref> It is backed by investors such as [[Tiger Global Management]], [[The Raine Group]], and Malabar Investment Advisors.<ref name=":0"/> The company also operates a venture arm, Games24x7 Ventures,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maloo |first1=Malvika |title=Games24x7 launches corporate investment arm |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/games24x7-launches-corporate-investment-arm-11667311186784.html |publisher=[[Livemint]] |date=1 November 2022}}</ref> and a philanthropic wing, Games24x7 Foundation.<ref name=csr/>

==History==
Games24x7 was founded by Bhavin Pandya<ref>{{Cite web |title=In India you don't have casual payer, you have casual player: Games24x7 CEO |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/in-india-you-don-t-have-casual-payer-you-have-casual-player-games24x7-ceo-121122201467_1.html |website=Business Standard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Games24x7's Bhavin Pandya hopes 2024 will be a promising year for industry |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/people/games24x7-s-bhavin-pandya-hopes-2024-will-be-a-promising-year-for-industry-124012600920_1.html}}</ref> and Trivikraman Thampy,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Nandita |date=2019-04-25 |title='We are a technology platform, gaming is just incidental': Pandya |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/people/-we-are-a-technology-platform-gaming-is-just-incidental-pandya-1556183361086.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref> who met while studying economics at [[New York University]] (NYU) and shared a passion for online games.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mittal |first=Apoorva |date=2022-04-27 |title=Gaming sector needs a regulatory structure, says Games24x7 CEO Bhavin Pandya |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/gaming-sector-needs-a-regulatory-structure-says-games24x7-ceo-bhavin-pandya/articleshow/91098291.cms |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> In 2006, Pandya returned to India and started Games24x7 with Thampy. They began with [[rummy]], [[chess]], and a bunch of other games online, which quickly became popular and were offered for free.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Soumya |date=29 March 2017 |title=Play Games24x7 Sees the Mobile Gaming Segment Grow 10x in Next 5 Years |url=https://bwdisrupt.businessworld.in/article/Play-Games24x7-Sees-the-Mobile-Gaming-Segment-Grow-10x-in-Next-5-Years/29-03-2017-115280/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Businessworld}}</ref> The company partnered with [[HDFC Bank|HDFC]] to establish a payment gateway for online real-money gaming. They also advocated for the industry's legitimacy to [[Google]] and [[Facebook]], enabling the sector to advertise on these platforms.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Saha |first=Soumyajit |date=2023-07-10 |title=Gamespotting: MeitY receives three applications for forming SROs |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/gamespotting-meity-receives-three-applications-for-forming-sros/articleshow/101618701.cms |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> In 2009, the company launched RummyCircle, an online real money gaming platform for playing the traditional Indian card game rummy. It quickly gained popularity within the gaming community and attracted a considerable user base. Games24x7 started investing in free-to-play games. It launched Ultimate Teen Patti and Ultimate Rummy.<ref name=":2" /> In December 2015, Ultimate Teen Patti became the highest-grossing Teen Patti app on the [[Google Play|Google Play store]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2019, the founders rolled out My11Circle, a fantasy sports vertical, and roped in [[Sourav Ganguly]] as the brand ambassador.<ref name=":0" /> The platform gained traction and became one of the top fantasy cricket brands, especially during the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) in 2021. It later expanded to fantasy football, and [[Kabaddi]] on My11Circle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=RPSG's Lucknow IPL Team ropes My11Circle as title sponsor |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/enterprise/rpsgs-lucknow-ipl-team-ropes-my11circle-as-title-sponsor/106644 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.fortuneindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, the company became a [[Unicorn (finance)|unicorn]] after raising $75 million, reaching a valuation of $2.5 billion. [[Tiger Global Management|Tiger Global]] was the first institutional investor for Games24x7 in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Manish |date=2022-03-30 |title=Games24x7 valued at $2.5 billion in new funding |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/30/indias-games24x7-valued-at-2-5-billion-in-new-funding/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== TechXpedite ===
In 2023, Games24x7 launched GameTech Accelerate,<ref>{{cite news |title=Games24x7 picks 15 start-ups for mentorship project |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/games24x7-picks-15-start-ups-for-mentorship-project/article67796381.ece |publisher=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |date=February 1, 2024}}</ref> later rebranded as TechXpedite, a 60-day accelerator programme targeting early-stage startups in the domains of gaming, artificial intelligence, and inclusive technology. In its 2024–25 edition, the programme selected 17 startups from over 330 applications, providing mentorship, resources, and up to US$500,000 in technology credits from more than 30 partner companies. It concluded with a pitch event in March 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Games24x7 announces final list of its startup accelerator programme |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/start-ups/games24x7-announces-final-list-of-its-startup-accelerator-programme-125011001001_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=10 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Games24x7 looks to back AI and tech startups beyond gaming sector |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/games24x7-looks-to-back-ai-and-tech-startups-beyond-gaming-sector-12858794.html |work=[[Moneycontrol]] |date=6 November 2024 |access-date=2 August 2025}}</ref> TechXpedite has been associated with support from state-level stakeholders such as the governments of [[Government of Karnataka|Karnataka]], [[Government of Telangana|Telangana]], and [[Government of Maharashtra|Maharashtra]], along with the [[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade]] (DPIIT).<ref>{{cite news |title=TechXpedite accelerator unveils 17 start-ups |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/techxpedite-accelerator-unveils-17-start-ups-six-from-bengaluru-for-its-2024-cohort/article69084774.ece |publisher=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |date=January 10, 2025}}</ref>

==Collaborations and sponsorships==
=== My11Circle ===
In 2021, My11Circle named Indian international cricketer and right-arm bowler [[Mohammed Siraj]] its brand ambassador. Among My11Circle's other brand ambassadors were [[Sourav Ganguly|Saurav Ganguly]], [[Ajinkya Rahane]], [[VVS Laxman]], and [[Ranveer Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khosla |first=Varuni |date=2022-01-28 |title=Games24X7 to push Rummy in north India to augment revenue |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/games24x7-to-push-rummy-in-north-india-to-augment-revenue-11643351691392.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref> In March 2022, [[Shubman Gill]] and [[Ruturaj Gaikwad]] became new brand ambassadors. My11Circle also secured the title sponsorship for both [[Lucknow Super Giants]], an [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] team, and the [[Women's T20 Challenge]], granted by the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) in May 2022.<ref name=":3" /> In 2024, My11Circle was appointed as the new official Fantasy Sports Partner for the [[2024 Indian Premier League|Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=My11Circle outbids Dream11, becomes official fantasy sports partner of IPL |url=https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/ipl/my11circle-outbids-dream11-becomes-official-fantasy-sports-partner-of-ipl-124032100891_1.html |website=www.business-standard.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Farooqui |first=Javed |date=2024-02-23 |title=BCCI sells four IPL sponsorship slots for Rs 1,485 crore |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/bcci-sells-four-ipl-sponsorship-slots-for-rs-1485-crore/articleshow/107923384.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> In March, Games24x7 onboarded [[Rinku Singh (cricketer)|Rinku Singh]] and [[Yashasvi Jaiswal]] as new brand ambassadors for My11Circle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Games24x7 welcomes Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal to My11Circle family - ET BrandEquity |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/marketing/games24x7-welcomes-rinku-singh-and-yashasvi-jaiswal-to-my11circle-family/108529860 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=ETBrandEquity.com |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2025, the company launched the 'Circle Mein Aaja' campaign during the [[Tata IPL]], featuring brand ambassadors [[Sourav Ganguly]], [[Shubman Gill]], [[Arshdeep Singh (cricketer)|Arshdeep Singh]], [[Ruturaj Gaikwad]], and [[Mohammed Siraj]]. The campaign included a remake of a 1990s track composed by [[Anu Malik]] to encourage fan participation.<ref>{{cite news |title=My11Circle's new campaign brings fans closer to the IPL action |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/my11circles-new-campaign-brings-fans-closer-to-the-ipl-action/119530303 |work=[[ETBrandEquity|ET BrandEquity]] |date=18 April 2025}}</ref>

=== RummyCircle ===
In 2022, Bollywood actor [[Hrithik Roshan]] became the brand ambassador for RummyCircle. In 2024, the company launched the ''Khelo Befikar, Jeeto RummyCircle Par'' campaign, featuring Hrithik.<ref name=":1" />

In 2025, RummyCircle launched the National Rummy Series, a nationwide rummy tournament, supported by an advertising campaign featuring [[Sourav Ganguly]]. The five-part finale streamed exclusively on [[JioCinema]] and [[Disney+ Hotstar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sourav Ganguly headlines campaign for RummyCircle's National Rummy Series |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/industry-briefing-news/sourav-ganguly-headlines-campaign-for-rummycircles-national-rummy-series-144255.html |work=Exchange4Media |date=10 June 2025}}</ref>

==Associations==
In 2017, Games24x7 and other gaming companies collaborated to establish E-Gaming Federation (formally The Online Rummy Federation),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Pooja |date=2023-12-16 |title=SC Refuses Interim Relief To Games 24x7 & Head Digital Works On Tax Notices |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/sc-refuses-interim-relief-to-games-24x7-head-digital-works-on-tax-notices/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref> a body that self-regulates the online rummy industry.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-07 |title=Govt notifies rules for online gaming, to appoint multiple SROs |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/it-ministry-notifies-final-rules-for-online-gaming/articleshow/99297771.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-06 |title=Online gaming lobby groups sign voluntary code of ethics |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/online-gaming-lobby-groups-sign-voluntary-code-of-ethics-9056104/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tripathi |first=Ashish |title=28% GST on online gaming companies: SC transfers to itself all pleas pending in 9 HCs |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/28-gst-on-online-gaming-companies-sc-transfers-to-itself-all-pleas-pending-in-9-hcs-2967046 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Games24x7 is a part of various industry associations, including [[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry|FICCI]]'s gaming committee, [[ASSOCHAM|Assocham]], [[Internet and Mobile Association of India|IAMAI]], and the Bombay Chamber of Commerce.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mengle |first=Gautam S. |date=2017-12-08 |title=Online rummy operators join hands self- regulate |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/online-rummy-operators-join-hands-self-regulate/article21358534.ece |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Prasid |date=2021-09-27 |title=Kerala High Court strikes down proposed government ban on online rummy |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kerala-high-court-strikes-down-proposed-government-ban-on-online-rummy-11632726265042.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

=== Corporate Social Responsibility ===
In 2022, Nobel peace laureate [[Kailash Satyarthi]] launched Bal Mitra Mandal (BMM) in [[Pune]], supported by Games24x7, to create a slum community and empower children and their communities to secure their rights, protect against child labor and abuse, and raise awareness on education, water, sanitation, and hygiene.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-18 |title=63 street children learn to read & write in 2-hour sessions at nine junctions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/63-street-children-learn-to-read-write-in-2-hour-sessions-at-nine-junctions/articleshow/100315106.cms |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Kailash Satyarthi launches initiative to create a safe, child-friendly slum community in Pune |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/kailash-satyarthi-initiative-safe-child-friendly-slum-community-pune-8072864/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Games24x7, in collaboration with the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation (KSCF), recently published a report highlighting a concerning rise in child trafficking cases in [[Delhi]] since the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The report shows a substantial 68% increase in trafficked children in Delhi, and [[Uttar Pradesh]] witnessed an alarming nearly six-fold rise. The national capital has emerged as a major hub for trafficked children, with more than one-fourth of rescued children originating from Delhi. The sectors with the highest prevalence of child labor include hotels and dhabas (15.6%), family-owned automobile or transport units (13%), and garments (11.18%).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title=Child trafficking: UP, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh among top three states; Delhi sees a sharp rise in cases |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/child-trafficking-up-bihar-and-andhra-pradesh-among-top-3-states-17387581.htm |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2023, the company formed a partnership with the [[Government of Karnataka|Karnataka Government]] to launch an online gaming accelerator initiative called GameTech Accelerate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Games24x7 Partners Karnataka Govt To Launch Accelerator For Indian Gaming Startups |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/games24x7-partners-karnataka-govt-to-launch-accelerator-for-indian-gaming-startups/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref>

Games24x7 Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of Games24x7, was established in 2022. In January 2024, the foundation launched the Wheels of Change initiative on [[National Girl Child Day]]. As part of this initiative, the foundation distributed 1,000 bicycles in the [[Dharashiv district]], specifically in [[Bhoom]], [[Washim]], and [[Paranda]] to help address transportation challenges for girl students accessing higher education in remote areas of [[Maharashtra]].<ref name=csr>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-25 |title=Games24x7 Foundation launches 'Wheels of Change' initiative; aims to empower school girls |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/jobs-career/education-games24x7-foundation-launches-wheels-of-change-initiative-aims-to-empower-school-dropout-girls-3374218/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> In April 2024, the foundation announced its collaboration with NGOs and sports academies in six Indian cities to provide youth and athletes from underserved backgrounds the opportunity to attend a [[2023 Indian Premier League|TATA IPL T20]] match.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=Games24x7 Foundation includes cricketing experiences for children to its 'Wheels of Change' project |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-games24x7-foundation-includes-cricketing-experiences-for-children-to-its-wheels-of-change-project-3465776/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Regulatory Impact and Layoffs ===
In September 2025, media reports stated that Games24X7 initiated a large-scale workforce reduction, with estimates suggesting that up to 70% of its employees, approximately 500 staff employees were affected. The reported layoffs followed a government decision to prohibit money-based online gaming formats, which significantly impacted the company’s core business operations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-10 |title=Games24X7 to lay off 70% employees as real money gaming ban pinches |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/games24x7-to-lay-off-70-employees/articleshow/123811735.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2026-02-07 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
* Start-Up Awards by [[Entrepreneur India]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award winners - 2023 |url=https://www.entrepreneurindia.com/startup/awards_winner_2023.php |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.entrepreneurindia.com}}</ref>
* [[LinkedIn]] Top Companies 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=LinkedIn's 2023 Top Companies List: Dream11, Games24x7 and 15 more debut as best workplaces |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/business/companies/linkedin-top-companies-list-dream11-tcs-amazon-among-best-workplaces-of-2023-16440021.htm |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref>
* Aegis Graham Bell Awards 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finalists of 13th Aegis Graham Bell Awards, supported MeiTY, NITI Aayog |url=https://bellaward.com/13th-winners-and-finalists/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Aegis Graham Bell Awards |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.games24x7.com/ Official website]

[[Category:Indian companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:Companies based in Mumbai]]

Games24x7 - Revision history

Aman064: starting new info...