Hike App to Cease Operations Following Real-Money Gaming Ban by Indian Government
The Impact of the Real-Money Gaming Ban
Hike, the instant messaging app-turned-gaming platform, is ceasing operations as the Indian government enforces a ban on the real-money gaming (RMG) sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal expressed his disappointment, stating, “This is a hard outcome but I choose to look on the bright side.”
Kavin Mittal's Insights on the Future
In his blog post, Mittal elaborated on the challenges ahead, especially concerning addiction and regulatory pressures. He noted that scaling globally demands a reset of their approach, which is not feasible at present. Hike once aimed to rival WhatsApp and boasted over 40 million active users, but the landscape has drastically changed.
- Major players like Dream11 and Winzo are also withdrawing from the RMG sector.
- The blanket ban on online money games directly influences the shift in strategy.
- Mittal urges a focus on understanding regulatory landscapes early in the gaming venture.
- The company’s pivot will now consider AI and energy breakthroughs as new opportunities.
As *Hike* concludes this chapter, the gaming industry watches closely how such legislative decisions shape the future of digital gaming in India.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.