Gaming
KFC surprises BGMI fans with a ‘Winner Winner Chicken lunch’
Mumbai: It’s ‘Winner Winner Chicken Lunch’ for all BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) players this summer, as KFC India collaborates with KRAFTON India, makers of India’s most-loved battle royale game for a crispy, crunchy, finger clickin’ good partnership!
As a part of this limited-time collaboration, KFC and BGMI have a crunchy surprise for chicken lovers and gamers. With the purchase of the KFC Zinger Box, fans have a chance to get their hands on exciting in-game BGMI rewards.
The strategic partnership brings together two of Gen-Z’s top passion points, food and gaming. It comes at a time when gaming is increasingly gaining popularity amongst young Indians, with the audience base expected to grow to 750 million users by 2025.
With the KFC Zinger Box, consumers can enjoy finger lickin’ good crispy chicken, and exclusive in-game rewards. Available for Rs 299/- on dine in or takeaway, the box includes KFC favourites like the Classic Zinger Burger, and two-piece Hot Wings, along with fries and a refreshing beverage.
The KFC Zinger Box comes with a unique code, which can be unlocked on the BGMI website. The exclusive code gives fans a chance to collect exciting rewards such as parachutes, bags, hats, jackets, and more to enhance gameplay with friends.
Speaking about the collaboration, KFC India CMO Aparna Bhawal said, “KFC is a brand with culture at its core. We’re always exploring distinctive, cutting-edge and culturally relevant partnerships. The idea for a collaboration with BGMI was born when we introduced KFC’s Lunch Specials recently. We thought gamers often celebrate a win with a ‘Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner,’ so why not give it a KFC twist, and do it over lunch? It’s an epic partnership, and we’re confident that our Gen-Z consumers are going to find it finger-clickin’ good!”
KRAFTON India head of business development Seddharth Merrotra added “As gaming continues to captivate a growing audience in India, our collaboration with KFC brings an exciting opportunity for BGMI players to enjoy their favorite game alongside a delicious KFC meal. This partnership not only enhances the gaming experience but also underscores our commitment to creating unique, immersive experiences for our players. With BGMI and KFC being standout brands in their respective fields, uniting them goes beyond a mere partnership; it’s a memorable journey where every bite and every gaming moment come together to redefine how fans indulge in their favorite pastimes.”
To claim the exclusive in-game KFC rewards, consumers can scan the QR code which comes with the purchase of the KFC Zinger Box OR visit www.battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem.The KFC Zinger Box with BGMI rewards is available in restaurants across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune till 30 August 2024 only.
So, what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest KFC restaurant, or order online through the KFC app or website (www.online.kfc.in) while the offer lasts.
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.
