Zupee has formally entered the eSports sector with the launch of its new vertical at PlayCom 2025. The company, which has more than 200 million registered users, said it will focus on transforming traditional Indian games such as Ludo, Carrom, and Chess into competitive formats for global audiences.
The announcement comes as the global eSports industry continues to expand rapidly, with viewership expected to surpass 700 million this year and prize pools exceeding $70 million. The development also follows the introduction of the Online Gaming Act 2025, which formally recognised eSports as a competitive sport in India, while banning real money gaming, Zupee’s core offering before this.
Mobile-first approach to competitive gaming
“India doesn’t just have to participate in this movement; we can lead it. With our mobile-first user base and gaming heritage, we have the fundamentals to create an eSports ecosystem that is inclusive, innovative, and globally relevant,” Dilsher Singh Malhi, Founder & CEO, Zupee, said.
Zupee’s entry highlights India’s mobile-first potential in eSports. According to Malhi, while the country has fewer than 10 million gaming consoles, it has over 750 million smartphones, making mobile gaming the most accessible route for competitive play. The company has already adapted Ludo into skill-based formats where outcomes depend on strategy rather than chance, drawing in players who may not engage with console or PC titles.
Expanding opportunities
Earlier, the company also announced its foray into a microdrama platform called Zupee Studio. With its new platform, Zupee plans to integrate gaming and entertainment through tournament streaming, localised broadcasting, and player-focused storytelling. Industry leaders believe the expansion of eSports in India could also generate employment in areas such as shoutcasting, content creation, and broadcasting, while positioning traditional Indian games as cultural exports.