Just days after shutting down its real money gaming offerings in line with India’s new online gaming law, Winzo has announced the launch of its platform in the United States.
The Gurugram-based company also introduced its short-form video content platform called ZO TV. “We’re on a mission to bring the most exciting, localised short drama series to our 250 million users on WinZO. The scale is massive, the opportunity is real, and we’re moving fast, with all the energy and excitement this deserves,” said Saumya Singh Rathore, co-founder of Winzo, in a LinkedIn post.
With this expansion, Winzo now operates in three of the world’s top four gaming markets. According to the company, the United States is the largest gaming market by revenue. Winzo began offering its services in Brazil two years ago. The firm also stated that it plans to open the US market to Indian game developers through its plug-and-launch distribution model.
Founded in 2018, Winzo reported an operating revenue of Rs 1,055 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024. Its move into overseas markets and focus on micro-dramas come in response to The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was passed by the Parliament last week and received the President’s assent on Friday, August 22.
The Act imposes a blanket ban on all online money games in India, regardless of whether they are based on skill or chance. It also applies to offshore real money gaming companies whose services are accessible in India. As a result, several companies in India’s booming real money gaming sector were forced to suspend their paid operations immediately.
Following the passing of the Bill, Winzo said: “In compliance with the new law, we are responsibly withdrawing impacted offerings w.e.f; 22nd August 2025; all service providers’ dues will be honoured; and all user balances will be safely refunded without any loss to a single user.”
Reiterating its strategy, the company added: “While expanding globally, WinZO will continue to serve its Indian audience with multiple offerings lined up through its platform, while responsibly withdrawing limited services impacted by evolving regulations.”
Winzo is not the only platform making changes. Dream11, the country’s largest fantasy sports app and the Indian cricket team’s main jersey sponsor, has informed employees that it will wind down its real money operations and is preparing to launch a new gold loan app under the brand Dream Money.
Other major platforms including Zupee, Probo, and Mobile Premier League (MPL) have also shifted completely to free-to-play social gaming models to comply with the new law.
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