Barely hours after the government introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, industry voices have begun weighing in. Among the first to respond is WinZO, India’s largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform, which has issued a detailed statement acknowledging the new law and reiterating its commitment to compliance, innovation, and nation-building.
For an industry that has been anxiously waiting for clarity, the Bill has landed like a reset button—ushering in a future that promises recognition for e-sports and social gaming, while outlawing money games and betting platforms. In this defining moment, WinZO’s words read less like a defensive stance and more like a rallying call for resilience and renewal.
WinZO’s co-founders—second-time entrepreneurs who earlier built Zostel, Asia’s largest backpacker hostel chain—framed the government’s move as a “defining juncture” for India’s digital economy.
“The choices we make today will shape how government and industry collaborate, how young entrepreneurs dream, and how global investors continue to believe in Indian innovation,” the statement said.
It is a carefully balanced note—acknowledging the inevitable disruption while underlining the larger vision of building a safe, vibrant, and globally respected gaming ecosystem out of India.
A Homegrown Giant with Global Footprints
Launched in 2018, WinZO has grown into a 250-million–strong user community, offering 100+ games across 15 languages. More than just a gaming app, it became a platform for developers—offering them an alternative to restrictive app store monopolies and opening doors to both Indian and global audiences.
The company highlights its role as a bridge between creators and consumers: from helping developers enter the Indian market to taking Indian talent to the world stage through India Pavilions at major gaming conventions in the US, Brazil, and Germany.
The ecosystem nurtured by WinZO has expanded far beyond users. With 75,000+ content creators producing vernacular gaming content, the platform has powered a digital creator economy at scale. Its investor base includes Kalaari Capital, Griffin Gaming Partners, Courtside Ventures, Makers Fund, and even global leaders like Steve Pagliuca, Co-Chair of Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics.
Navigating Challenges with Resilience
From the pandemic to sudden taxation changes to now regulatory shifts, WinZO is no stranger to turbulence. “Each time, our philosophy has been the same: adapt, innovate, and emerge stronger,” the founders noted.
True to that spirit, the company confirmed it will withdraw impacted offerings in compliance with the new law from August 22, 2025. This move positions WinZO as one of the first major gaming platforms to publicly announce its compliance roadmap.
The statement was also striking for its tone of gratitude. WinZO paused to thank its team, investors, partners, and the broader developer ecosystem, describing them as “extensions of Team WinZO.”
To its 250 million users, the message was deeply personal:
“Your trust and love are our greatest reward. You are the reason we walk into our offices each day with new ideas and renewed energy.”
At a time when the government has highlighted the risks of predatory gaming models, WinZO’s note leaned heavily on its ethos of responsibility and integrity. It reiterated that user safety and national security have always been non-negotiable and that every feature it built was driven not by monetisation, but by “responsibility, innovation, and nation-building.”
What Lies Ahead
As the dust settles on the Online Gaming Bill, the big question is how India’s gaming startups will adapt. For WinZO, the answer seems clear: compliance, resilience, and doubling down on social gaming and global innovation.
“We remain steadfast and united, with the unqualified and absolute support of our partners, investors, and the team. The best is yet to come,” the statement concluded.
With its early and clear response, WinZO has set the tone for how Indian gaming companies may navigate this new era. While money games fade into the background, platforms like WinZO now stand at the cusp of reinventing themselves—championing safe, creative, and globally competitive gaming experiences from India.
For India’s 250 million gamers, the message is both a reassurance and a promise: the play isn’t over, it’s just entering a new level.
