Unicorn Chronicles
Games24x7 Success Story: 5 Fundamental Lessons for Every Entrepreneur
June 17, 2025
Share :
Table of Contents
Introduction
In the dynamic realm of online gaming, few Indian startups have demonstrated the resilience and innovation of Games24x7. Founded in 2006 by Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy, the company has evolved from a modest gaming venture into a $2.5 billion unicorn, boasting flagship platforms like RummyCircle and My11Circle. Their journey underscores the significance of technological foresight, user-centric design, and strategic adaptability in building a successful enterprise.
Co-founder Bhavin Pandya emphasizes the pivotal role of technology in their success:
“We are in a space where technology is growing rapidly. Every second word coming out of people’s mouths these days is AI/ML and data science.”
This commitment to technological advancement, coupled with a deep understanding of user behavior, has positioned Games24x7 as a leader in India’s online gaming industry.
Origin Story
The inception of Games24x7 traces back to the academic corridors of New York University, where founders Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy met as graduate students pursuing degrees in economics. Fueled by a shared enthusiasm for gaming and data-driven decision-making, they envisioned leveraging technology to revolutionize the gaming experience.
In 2006, they took the entrepreneurial leap, returning to India to explore the then-nascent online gaming industry. Their first major venture was the launch of RummyCircle, a digital adaptation of the classic Indian card game Rummy. With a focus on combining traditional Indian games with robust technological infrastructure, the founders built a platform that was intuitive, scalable, and deeply engaging for users.
The decision to focus on rummy was strategic—they recognized that card games were deeply rooted in Indian culture but lacked a trusted and regulated online experience.
“The beauty of gaming is that it is at the intersection of technology and entertainment,” Pandya once said in an interview, reflecting the company’s core philosophy.
Their vision was not just to create another gaming app but to build a long-term digital entertainment company grounded in behavioral science, user personalization, and ethical play. This unique blend of culture, data, and technology laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of India’s most successful gaming startups.
Business Space and Early Challenges
Entering the Indian online gaming space in the mid-2000s came with significant hurdles. The digital infrastructure was still developing, internet penetration was limited, and mobile gaming had not yet exploded.
Additionally, online real-money gaming was a highly misunderstood concept, often lumped together with gambling, creating skepticism and regulatory challenges. Games24x7 had to tread carefully, ensuring compliance with Indian laws and staying away from states where real-money gaming was restricted.
Building trust was another major challenge. Convincing users to deposit money and play games online required transparency, user education, and consistent performance. The founders invested heavily in secure payment gateways, responsible gaming policies, and customer service to address user concerns.
“We wanted to build a product that wasn’t just fun but also felt safe and fair,” said Trivikraman Thampy.
On the backend, they focused on building a scalable, AI-powered infrastructure capable of handling high user traffic and delivering real-time personalization—an approach that would become their differentiator.
In a market still unsure about digital payments and online entertainment, Games24x7’s early commitment to technological innovation, legal clarity, and user trust helped it stand apart. Their patience and focus paid off as internet and smartphone adoption in India surged post-2015, bringing millions of new users online—many of whom would find their first online gaming experience with RummyCircle.
Growth Strategies
Games24x7’s rapid ascent in the Indian online gaming space is a result of clear vision and sharp execution. One of their most pivotal moves was the diversification of their gaming portfolio. While RummyCircle established the company’s early credibility, the launch of My11Circle in 2019 marked a new growth chapter.
Capitalizing on India’s obsession with cricket and fantasy sports, My11Circle quickly gained a strong user base—especially during IPL seasons—by offering engaging formats and frequent contests. The app’s popularity soared further with cricket legends like Sourav Ganguly, Shane Watson, and Rashid Khan as ambassadors, which added both trust and excitement to the platform.
In addition to diversification, technological innovation was central to their growth playbook. The company focused heavily on data science and AI, using these tools to personalize user journeys, predict behavior, and ensure better user retention.
This deep tech integration helped Games24x7 create sticky platforms that encouraged longer playtime and better monetization.
The company also forged strategic partnerships with sports entities and IPs, allowing them to build community-led gaming ecosystems. Their careful balancing of compliance, innovation, and scale has made them not just a leading gaming company but also a profitable unicorn, with revenue surpassing ₹1,750 crore in FY23, as per Economic Times.
Marketing Strategies
Games24x7’s marketing success lies in its deep understanding of Indian audiences and regional diversity. Unlike typical digital-only approaches, the company adopted a hybrid strategy—mixing traditional and digital marketing to build brand recognition across urban and rural India.
Celebrity endorsements formed a major pillar of their strategy. With icons like Sourav Ganguly, Shubman Gill, and other cricket stars fronting their campaigns, Games24x7 was able to establish instant credibility among sports lovers. These endorsements were not just face-value partnerships—they were integrated into the gaming experience itself, such as in “Beat the Expert” challenges on My11Circle.
The company also emphasized regional campaigns, tailoring their messages in local languages to better connect with diverse user bases. This localization not only drove conversions but also enhanced user loyalty. On platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and OTTs, they ran content-rich campaigns focused on responsible gaming, transparency, and fair play—a much-needed differentiator in an industry often clouded by trust issues.
Games24x7 also positioned itself as a thought leader in the gaming space. Through interviews, panel discussions, and insights shared by the founders, they built a narrative of integrity, innovation, and tech-driven growth. This combination of mass reach, regional resonance, and value-driven messaging has helped Games24x7 stand out in a crowded and competitive online gaming landscape.
5 Fundamental Lessons for Every Entrepreneur
1. Leverage Personal Passions
Games24x7 is a testament to what can happen when passion meets execution. Founders Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy were avid gamers and economics scholars who turned a shared interest into a scalable business.
By building around a personal passion, they not only stayed deeply committed through ups and downs but also brought a level of authenticity that resonated with users. Their deep understanding of gaming culture and player psychology helped them make product decisions that felt intuitive and engaging. For entrepreneurs, aligning a business with personal interests can fuel long-term motivation and create more meaningful user experiences.
2. Embrace Technological Advancements
Technology wasn’t an add-on for Games24x7—it was embedded into the company’s DNA from the start. From integrating AI and machine learning to personalize gaming experiences to using predictive analytics to prevent user churn, the founders constantly evolved with the digital landscape.
As Bhavin Pandya highlighted in an interview, staying relevant in a fast-moving tech space means adopting and adapting continuously. For any startup, especially in digital-first industries, tech adoption is not just about efficiency—it’s a growth enabler.
3. Understand and Educate Your Market
When Games24x7 introduced online rummy and later fantasy sports, the Indian audience was still new to real-money gaming platforms. The company realized early that simply marketing the product wasn’t enough—they had to educate users on how the games worked, how money was handled securely, and how responsible gaming was ensured.
They invested in content, UI clarity, and tutorials to bridge this knowledge gap. This not only reduced user hesitancy but also improved long-term retention. Entrepreneurs in new or misunderstood industries must take on the role of educators before they can become category leaders.
4. Diversify Strategically
The launch of My11Circle in 2019 was a masterstroke in product diversification. While RummyCircle remained a strong performer, entering the fantasy sports space helped Games24x7 tap into India’s cricket craze and broaden their revenue streams.
This move cushioned the business from platform-specific risks and opened up massive cross-sell opportunities. Strategic diversification—based on user behavior and market trends—can ensure stability, reduce dependence on a single product, and unlock new customer segments.
5. Build Trust Through Transparency
Trust is a make-or-break factor in real-money gaming. Games24x7 understood this early and embedded transparency, compliance, and responsible gaming as core values. They openly communicated their policies, invested in fraud prevention, and promoted healthy gaming habits.
These measures helped differentiate them in a sector often plagued with skepticism and regulatory hurdles. For any entrepreneur, especially in trust-sensitive sectors, prioritizing clear communication and user protection isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for growth.
Conclusion
Games24x7’s trajectory from a modest gaming startup to a $2.5 billion powerhouse is a masterclass in long-term vision, technological adaptability, and an unwavering focus on the user. What started as a passion project between two economics graduates has grown into one of
India’s most prominent gaming companies, home to platforms like RummyCircle and My11Circle, each with millions of engaged users. Their ability to navigate regulatory challenges, earn user trust in a sensitive sector, and innovate continuously speaks volumes about the clarity of their mission and the strength of their leadership.
More importantly, the founders’ journey underscores a powerful message: you don’t need to chase trends to succeed—you need to understand your domain deeply, believe in your approach, and execute consistently. Games24x7 never lost sight of their commitment to responsible gaming and fair play, even as the industry around them evolved rapidly.
For entrepreneurs, especially in competitive or emerging markets, the story of Games24x7 is a reminder that passion paired with execution can build giants, even in unconventional industries.
Whether it’s educating the market, adopting cutting-edge technologies, or diversifying with intent, Games24x7’s rise offers invaluable lessons in sustainable, scalable entrepreneurship. Their success isn’t just a business victory—it’s a blueprint for building enduring companies in India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
Related Posts
