Gaming
Junglee Games hands the reins to Kapil Rathee
DELHI: Junglee Games is betting on an insider to lead its next chapter. The online gaming firm has elevated co-founder Kapil Rathee to chief executive officer, promoted Abhishek Bharti from senior vice-president of technology to chief technology officer, and moved Bharat Bhatia from chief marketing officer to chief business officer. The shake-up is part of Flutter Entertainment’s broader Asia Pacific strategy and marks the end of a carefully orchestrated succession.
Rathee joined Junglee in May 2015 and has spent nearly 11 years climbing through the ranks, holding roles including vice-president of product, chief product officer and president before becoming co-founder in 2023. Now, as chief executive, he will focus on product innovation and expansion whilst keeping Junglee aligned with Flutter’s long-term regional priorities.
Barni Evans, chief executive of Flutter APAC, praised Rathee’s decade-long contribution. “Kapil has been a central driver of Junglee’s growth for more than a decade and his planned appointment as CEO is a natural progression of the leadership he has consistently demonstrated,” Evans said. He also thanked outgoing leader Ankush Gera for building a strong foundation and culture at the company.
Gera will stay on as a key adviser to the board, supporting strategic initiatives. “It has been a phenomenal journey building Junglee, and I am so proud of everything we have achieved as a team,” Gera said. “I am confident that under Kapil’s stewardship alongside Bharat, Abhishek and the rest of Junglee’s exco, the business will enter its strongest phase yet.”
Rathee said he was honoured to take the helm at such a pivotal moment. “Over the last decade, we have built a company rooted in innovation, integrity, and exceptional player experiences,” he said. His focus will be on expanding into new products and markets, enhancing product leadership and driving sustainable long-term growth in line with Flutter’s Asia Pacific strategy.
Junglee Games now boasts a community of 150 million registered users. Following recent regulatory updates, the company has pivoted to free-to-play social games and is expanding its product and technology footprint into new markets. With nearly 15 years of innovation behind it, the firm has consistently emphasised fair play, compliance and responsible gaming, underpinned by behavioural science and AI-driven safety systems.
The leadership transition positions Junglee to accelerate its strategic expansion as part of Flutter’s vision for the region. The company will continue strengthening its product capabilities, deepening its market presence and exploring new opportunities whilst staying committed to responsible, compliant, player-first experiences. With fresh blood at the top and a battle-tested team behind him, Rathee inherits a business primed for its next act.
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
