Gaming
Gladiators Esports acquires Gods Reign, unites India’s top BGMI players
Mumbai: In one of the largest moves in Indian esports, Gladiators Esports has acquired Bengaluru-based Gods Reign, combining two of the nation’s esports powerhouses. With this acquisition, Gladiators Esports integrates Gods Reign, retaining the well-known Gods Reign brand for the esports team while all other content and marketing operations consolidate under Gladiators Esports. This alliance aims to streamline operations, strengthen brand identity, and harness the combined strengths of both teams.
Gladiators Esports remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome Gods Reign into the Gladiators Esports family. This acquisition reflects our commitment to elevating Indian esports and driving its growth. By integrating the renowned Gods Reign brand and its talented roster, we are not only broadening our reach and influence but also creating a nurturing space for our players and creators to excel. This marks an exciting new chapter, and we eagerly look forward to shaping a bright future for Indian esports.”
As part of this move, Gods Reign secures one of India’s most successful BGMI lineups, including top players who consistently perform on major stages with an impressive list of accolades.
Gods Reign, CEO, Rohith KR added, “This acquisition by Gladiators Esports represents a pivotal step for both Gods Reign and the Indian esports ecosystem. By combining our expertise, experience, and shared vision for advancing Indian esports, we are poised to deliver unmatched experiences and achievements. Our new BGMI roster, featuring both seasoned talent and fresh perspectives, embodies the high level of competition we’re committed to bringing. Through this strategic move, we aim to amplify opportunities for our athletes, engage our community in exciting new ways, and elevate Indian esports on the global stage.”
The new roster, led by In-Game Leader (IGL) Ammar Khan (Destro), includes players Justin Nadar (Justin) and Parth Garg (DeltaPG), who won the BGMI Series (BGIS) 2023 and BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) 2023 and took runner-up in BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2023. The team is further bolstered by Shubham Ranjan Sahoo (NinjaJOD), the BGIS 2024 champion, and coach Robin Singh (Robin), who recently led the team to a win in the Titans Rising tournament.
This elite roster earned approximately Rs 2.5 crore ($276,703) from esports tournaments in FY23, reflecting a track record they aim to surpass in future competitions.
IGL Ammar Khan, also known as Destro, expressed, “Having previously played with these talented players and achieved success together, returning to Gods Reign feels like a true homecoming and it’s an honour to reunite under this banner. This acquisition unites some of India’s top esports talent, all of whom are dedicated to constant improvement and focused on victory. With our combined strengths and support, we hope to set new benchmarks in BGMI and demonstrate our potential on both national and international stages.”
With rosters in games like Counter-Strike 2, Pokémon UNITE, and BGMI, along with gaming creators such as Thor Gaming, Harshdeep Singh, Red Parasite, Miss Senorita, and AJ Jeffy, Gods Reign attracts over 6 million YouTube subscribers and over 1 million Instagram followers. Together, Gladiators Esports and Gods Reign are set to make waves in India’s fast-growing esports and content ecosystems.
Gaming
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
