Homegrown online gaming platform WinZO has launched in the United States to “expand its technology, gaming innovation, intellectual property, and talent to global audiences”.
The expansion follows the company’s decision to suspend real money gaming (RMG) operations in India in the wake of the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
On Friday, the Online Gaming Bill received Presidential assent, mandating strict regulatory norms and effectively bringing an end to India’s RMG sector, at least as far as entities that are operating “overground” are concerned. WinZO’s move to further expand overseas therefore, comes at a critical time for the company.
While growing internationally, WinZO, which relied heavily on real money gaming, will continue offering services in India, adjusting some based on changing regulations, the company declared.
The platform’s US debut follows its successful foray into Brazil in 2023, placing the Gurugram-based company at the “intersection of three of the world’s four largest mobile gaming markets” – India, Brazil, and the US – with a combined market size of $65–70 billion and more than 20 billion annual mobile game downloads.
In tandem with the US launch, WinZO has introduced ZO TV, a short-form video format designed to enhance engagement and diversify its content offerings. The feature aims to position the platform as a comprehensive hub for interactive entertainment, combining gaming and short video content for global audiences.
Founded in 2018 by Paavan Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore, WinZO claims its “global competitiveness comes from its ecosystem of 250 million users playing over 100 competitive games in 15 languages. It holds more than 100 technology patents, including live streaming, real-time game engine, AI-powered vernacular tools, one-click game integration, and AI-driven cybersecurity”.
In a joint statement, Rathore and Nanda declared: “The launch of WinZO in the United States is a proud milestone for us and for India’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
“Our vision has always been to empower Indian game developers to reach global audiences. Entering the U.S., the world’s largest and most influential gaming market, is a decisive step towards that mission.
“We are equally excited to introduce ZO TV, our new short video format, which further diversifies our content offerings and strengthens WinZO’s position as a global hub and one stop destination for interactive entertainment.”
Supported by its $50 million ZO Fund, WinZO is expanding Indian innovation globally and connecting talent, culture, and IP between India, Brazil, and the US.
Per Inc42, WinZO has raised about $110 million till date, from investors like Kalaari Capital, Maker’s Fund and Griffin Gaming Partners, among others.
