Online gaming platform Zupee has cut 170 employees, roughly 30% of its workforce, shortly after the passage of the Online Gaming Bill 2025, which imposed a ban on real-money gaming (RMG).
“This has been a tough call for us, but was necessary to adapt to the new regulatory framework,” said Dilsher Singh Malhi, Zupee’s founder and CEO.
“Our colleagues who are leaving us have been an integral part of Zupee’s journey and we will always remain thankful for their contribution in building Zupee into what it is today. We are providing comprehensive support to help our colleagues step seamlessly & with confidence into their next roles,” he added.
The company stated that affected employees will receive severance packages of up to six months’ pay, depending on tenure, along with continued health coverage and access to a ₹1 crore medical support fund.
The startup has also promised to give these employees priority for rehiring as new roles become available. These layoffs place Zupee among several gaming companies cutting jobs in response to the real-money gaming (RMG) ban. Earlier this month, Head Digital Works, operator of A23 Rummy, laid off nearly 500 employees. Mobile Premier League (MPL) is reducing its India staff by up to 60%, Baazi Games, which runs PokerBaazi, cut around 200 jobs, and My11Circle parent Games24x7 has also implemented significant layoffs.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, bans money-based online games where users deposit funds expecting financial returns. The comprehensive ban has disrupted a previously booming market for skill-based games such as rummy, poker, and fantasy sports, which collectively attracted millions of players and substantial investment.
Founded in 2018 by Malhi and Siddhant Saurabh, Zupee established its brand around culturally familiar board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Carrom. Prior to the ban, the platform claimed over 150 million registered users.
Now, Zupee is pivoting. It has introduced Zupee Plus, a subscription priced at Rs 499 for three months that offers ad-free play and unlimited access to shows, and Zupee Studio, which produces bite-sized drama content. The company said it remains committed to its vision of “reimagining social gaming and entertainment that connects with our cultural heritage.”
The move highlights a wider industry push to rethink revenue models, with platforms exploring alternatives such as advertising, subscriptions, and ventures beyond gaming.
