Gaming
“Smaaash has played a pivotal role in popularising VR entertainment in India” : Avanish Agarwal
Mumbai: SMAAASH, where sports, virtual reality, music, and dining converge to create an immersive social experience unlike any other. Established in 2012 by the visionary Shripal Morakhia, SMAAASH has become synonymous with cutting-edge gaming and entertainment in India.
From state-of-the-art sports simulation technology to thrilling virtual reality experiences like Walk the Plank and Finger Coaster, SMAAASH captivates guests of all ages with its innovative attractions.
With 32 centers spanning 16 cities, including its acclaimed launch at the Mall of America, SMAAASH is a powerhouse of entertainment both at home and abroad. Whether you’re a family, a group of friends, or a child at heart, SMAAASH invites you to indulge in a plethora of activities that promise excitement and fun for everyone.
Indiantelevision caught up with SMAAASH CMO Avanish Agarwal to talk about the core concepts behind SMAAASH, its unique offerings, its contribution to the growth of virtual reality entertainment in India
On SMAASH launching, is it a pure Indian thought process or an International concept
Smaaash was launched in 2012, blending Indian creativity with international standards, making it a unique fusion of both. Our core concept revolves around combining sports, entertainment, and innovative technology to create memorable experiences. We are the pioneers in twilight bowling, there are other places at the time that offered just simple bowling and we took it to the next level.
On the core concept behind SMAAASH, and On the differentiating itself from other entertainment centres
Smaaash stands out by offering a mix of virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive technology, enhancing traditional gaming experiences. This differentiation provides customers with immersive and engaging entertainment options not found elsewhere. Also, all the VR games that we have are developed in-house from concept to execution.
On SMAAASH utilising virtual reality technology to create immersive gaming experiences, specific examples of popular VR games offered
We leverage virtual reality extensively to offer cutting-edge gaming experiences. Popular VR games like ‘Finger Coaster’ and ‘Vertigo’ exemplify how we immerse players in thrilling virtual environments, enhancing their gaming encounters.
On SMAAASH contributed to the growth and popularity of virtual reality entertainment in India
Smaaash has played a pivotal role in popularising virtual reality entertainment in India by introducing innovative VR attractions and consistently upgrading our offerings to match global standards
On SMAAASH balance offering high-quality, cutting-edge entertainment with keeping prices reasonable for its customers
We strive to strike a balance between offering high-quality entertainment and maintaining affordable prices for our customers, ensuring accessibility without compromising on the experience.
On the significance of SMAAASH’s in-house research and production capabilities in the development of their games and experiences
Our in-house research and production capabilities allow us to constantly innovate and develop unique games and experiences tailored to the preferences of our diverse customer base.
On SMAAASH caters to different age groups and interests within its diverse range of offerings
Smaaash caters to various age groups and interests through a wide range of offerings, including arcade games, sports simulations, VR experiences, and family-friendly attractions.
On the standout features and attractions at SMAAASH, particularly those related to sports simulation technology
Our sports simulation technology, including cricket, football, and racing simulators, provides an authentic and thrilling experience for sports enthusiasts, enhancing their visit to Smaaash.
On the efforts that SMAAASH has made to ensure safety and comfort for visitors while using advanced gaming technologies like virtual reality
We prioritize the safety and comfort of our visitors by implementing stringent safety protocols and guidelines, particularly concerning the usage of advanced gaming technologies like virtual reality
On SMAAASH incorporating elements of music and dining into the overall experience and sets its approach apart from traditional entertainment venues
Smaaash integrates elements of music and dining into the overall experience by offering themed restaurants, live music events, and interactive dining options, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere
On the future planning or expansions in the works for SMAAASH that visitors can look forward to
We are continuously exploring opportunities for expansion and innovation, with plans to introduce new attractions, enhance existing offerings, and expand our presence to new locations both domestically and internationally.
On feedback or testimonials that you have received from visitors that underscore the uniqueness and special qualities of SMAAASH
We receive positive feedback and testimonials from visitors highlighting the unique and special qualities of Smaaash, particularly praising our immersive experiences, innovative attractions, and vibrant ambience. We are also a part of people’s celebrations and have celebrated more than 10,000 social events since the inception
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.
