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Endemol bets on gaming, backs social casino site
MUMBAI: Endemol, the production house that is known to have produced internationally popular formats like Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Fear Factor is now set to enter the online gaming business. The company has announced that it would be investing $ 13 million in social casino start-up Plumbee as it wants to go beyond the traditional video production.
Till now, the company has been building its digital gaming business internally, mostly by launching gaming apps based on popular shows. Earlier in the year, it had even announced a $40 million investment in Endemol Beyond, an online video network, backed by investor Idinvest Partners. Even in the new initiative, the investor is backing the company.
Endemol and Plumbee together will create premium social casino games. The deal is going to benefit both the companies. Endemol will leverage Plumbee’s international network and will boost the growth of its worldwide user base.
Plumbee that was launched in October 2011, already boasts of games like Mirrorball Slots that is among the top 10 highest grossing social casino games on Facebook. It has more than one million monthly active users and other popular games like Playfish. With a new focus on a mix of free-to-play and real-money games, it wants to tap into both areas. And now, Endemol also plans to cash in on the popularity.
Endemol’s current digital gaming projects include a new initiative to move into app publishing, launching with gaming apps based on shows Pointless and Deal or No Deal.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
