Hike Shuts Down After India’s Ban On Real-Money Gaming
The end of Hike marks a significant shift in India’s startup ecosystem. Once celebrated as a unicorn, Hike has officially shut down after India’s recent crackdown on real-money gaming. The company, founded by Kavin Bharti Mittal, had previously pivoted from its messaging app roots to focus on gaming with its platform Rush. But with new regulations banning cash-based games, Hike has decided to close operations rather than attempt another costly reset.
Image Credits:Anindito Mukherjee / Bloomberg / Getty Images
Hike’s Journey From Messaging To Real-Money Gaming
Hike began in 2012 as a youth-focused messaging app that aimed to rival global giants. By 2016, it had achieved unicorn status, fueled by major investments and rapid growth. However, facing tough competition, Hike shut down its messenger in 2021 and reinvented itself with Rush, a real-money gaming platform offering popular titles like carrom and ludo. Rush quickly attracted millions of users and generated hundreds of millions in gross revenue, proving the demand for skill-based casual gaming in India.
Why Hike Decided To Shut Down
The final blow came in 2025 when India introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, a sweeping law that banned all real-money gaming. Hike’s founder explained that while the company’s U.S. expansion had shown early promise, scaling globally would require significant resources and wasn’t the best use of time or capital. Rather than force another pivot, Hike chose to shut down completely, marking the end of its 13-year journey.
The Impact On India’s Real-Money Gaming Industry
Hike’s closure highlights the broader fallout from India’s ban on real-money gaming. The $23-billion industry has been thrown into chaos, with several major players halting operations, exploring new categories, or shifting focus abroad. For startups like Hike, the regulatory move has made survival nearly impossible, reshaping the future of gaming in the country. While the ban aims to curb social and financial risks linked to gaming, it has also left a generation of entrepreneurs and gamers searching for new opportunities.
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