Asia
Speciale Invest Leads Investor Group to Raise an Undisclosed Seed Fund for the Tech-gaming Poker Startup Pocket52
Bangalore-based start-up, an online poker platform Pocket52 , has taken a major step in evolving the Random Number Generator technology. iTech labs, a globally renowned third-party certification agency based out of Australia, has certified Pocket52 as a cryptographically secure RNG platform.
In Fact, Pocket52 is the first company to develop a cryptographically secure RNG, powered by Lava Lamps in India. They call it RNG+.
Speciale Invest led an investor group to raise an undisclosed seed fund for Pocket52. The group included marquee poker players like Abhigya Sagar, Pranjal Batra and a slew of astute entrepreneurs.
Pocket52 is boldly held together by Nitesh Salvi (CEO) along with other co-founders Saurav Suman(COO) (Co-Founder TimeMyTask now acquired), Debashish Bhattacharjee (CMO), and Satyam Verma(CTO).
Nitesh (Co-founder and CEO Pocket52) is an IIT Bombay graduate and a serial entrepreneur. His first venture Plancess was one of the top-ranked Ed-tech startups which were later acquired by the Career Point Group, Kota. Nitesh has been an ardent poker player from his IIT Bombay days. He mentions identifying major anomalies in his online poker experience over varied platforms.
A decade of unsatisfactory experiences inspired him to build a space of his own in the Online Poker Circuit. Nitesh along with the founding team aims to reconstruct the online poker experience with the help of Data & Machine Learning.
The Bangalore-based company expressed their intentions to infuse their funds in contriving an expanding consumer business. Pocket52 built their software from the scratch. The technology was built by India’s finest, led by the CTO of the company who is an avid poker player himself. Pocket52 has introduced many new features for a sophisticated gaming experience for their users.
The startup has absorbed a very dynamic and tech-savvy team which has built a whale of a product. This product holds the potential to attract a large user base and foster their sustenance. The CMO of the company with his extensive knowledge on the customer leads the planning of every reward feature and benefit. Each promotion is designed keeping in mind every type of potential poker player in India. This exhibits a tremendous level of faith in the start-up by their investors.
Arjun Rao, General Partner at Speciale Invest expresses, “We’re excited to support Pocket52 in their vision. Their vision is to bring technological innovations to the Indian online gaming sector. Of course, poker is their first game. They have a strong product differentiation around the game-play. Their integrity levels, fairness and high-quality player engagement, strengthen our confidence in them.”
Founder of Speciale Invest, Vishesh Ramrajan mentions, “The growth rate of the Indian online poker gaming industry is very high. It is a land of opportunities. Pocket52 has taken the technological lead in this space and we are happy to be a part of their growth journey.”
The RNG+ technology employed by Pocket52 is an additional security layer in their online card shuffle process. They drew this technological inspiration from some noteworthy companies like Cloudflare, a platform that acts as a medium to secure 10% of the entire World Wide Web.
Pocket52 has traced a roadmap for themselves. Their plan includes construction of personalized learning modules. This will equip the platform to impart personalized learning experience to the poker players. Machine learning will play a pivotal role in the design of these learning modules.
As per a study by KPMG & Google in India published in May 2017, the market value of Indian gaming Industry’s is about USD 300 Million. The estimated value of the online poker space in India is USD 7 billion. This value is combined with a base of more than 5 million poker players in India. This infers a massive market potential as companies like PokerStars India, Adda52, Spartan Poker, Pokerbaazi & 9Stacks are changing the face of online poker by promoting it as a game of skill.
About Pocket52
Pocket52 is a tech-savvy Poker platform, designed to create an excellent poker gaming experience and is equipped to nurture the dream of players who aspire to be professionals in poker. With a small team of dynamic people, we keep innovating to bring out the best in the players on the platform. We are always innovating to explore the untapped areas of online poker in India. So “BuildChurnWin” today at Pocket52.
For more information, please visit https://www.pocket52.com/ .
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
Asia
DigiPlus Interactive Launches “Pusta de Peligro” Campaign
The DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, with its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation, has launched the “Pusta de Peligro” campaign, pioneering a responsible gaming initiative to empower Filipino players with the knowledge and tools to make better choices in their gaming experiences. This campaign leverages the relatable term Petsa de Peligro—which reflects the need to be prudent before paydays in the Philippines as a metaphor for moments when players must exercise caution and discipline in their gaming.
The Pusta de Peligro campaign aligns DigiPlus Interactive with the efforts of PAGCOR in promoting responsible gaming and playing with a trusted operator, demonstrating a shared commitment to keeping gaming safe and enjoyable. A three-pronged approach to prevention, education and intervention anchors the campaign’s objective to teach Filipinos how to know the risks, set limits and get the right support.
Last November 14, DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation held the “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo! Wais Tips for Pusta de Peligro Moments” hybrid talk show in its headquarters in front of over 200 audiences on-site and online.
The show was split into two sessions with the first one being the “Tamang Laro” episode–Teresita Cambe-Castillo, licensed psychologist, chairperson of the board of Seagulls Flock Organisation and International Gambling Certification Board member, discussed how to spot the signs of excessive gaming and provide mental health support for oneself or others.
In the afternoon, proven financial guru Armand Bengco led the conversation in the “Tamang Panalo” episode, teaching the viewers how to continue winning by knowing how to handle money, build an entertainment fund and spend responsibly.
The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo!” hybrid talk show is proof that DigiPlus, through BingoPlus Foundation, is committed to advancing an education campaign that goes beyond reminders on responsible gaming habits, but also gives actionable, practical tips to better manage their entertainment fund through financial literacy learning sessions, and spot the signs and provide psychological first aid for excessive gaming.
“We’re committed to more than just delivering exciting digital entertainment. With Pusta de Peligro, we’re taking responsibility to help players be mindful, enjoy responsibly, and stay financially aware,” said Rafael Jasper Vicencio, Director of DigiPlus Interactive and President of AB Leisure Exponent and Total GameZone Xtreme, the operator of BingoPlus Stores and developer of its beloved games.
Celeste Jovenir, COO of BingoPlus Foundation and Vice President of DigiPlus Interactive, said: “Pusta de Peligro is just the beginning. We are committed to setting the bar as a responsible industry leader, helping Filipinos navigate gaming wisely, for truly enjoyable and rewarding experiences with us.”
Asia
MelBet Appoints Bollywood Actress Sherlyn Chopra as its New Brand Ambassador
International iGaming company MelBet has appointed Sherlyn Chopra, one of India’s famous and glamorous actresses, as its new brand ambassador.
As a brand ambassador, Sherlyn would be involved in creating exclusive content and promoting MelBet in international markets.
Sherlyn Chopra is known for her significant success in the film and television industry. Her work, including her role in the psychological thriller, Red Swastik, made her popular in India. Sherlyn is actively involved in showbiz and continues to expand her horizons by doing popular web-series, music albums, short films, launching glamour and style apps and other creative projects.
“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the MelBet family. Sports are more than just games or competitions as they unequivocally bring people together. I am proud to contribute to its popularisation with such a reliable partner. MelBet is not just about gaming, casinos, or sports. It is about team spirit towards involvement in the games, followed by highs and lows which are inevitable in the pursuit of success and victory. MelBet is an experience that brings us closer as a community and in setting our goals and achieving them. I am looking forward to starting our collaborative journey and the opportunities that we can create and explore for our growing game lovers,” Sherlyn Chopra said.
With this appointment, Sheryln joins other leading names, who represent MelBet in India and globally. MelBet believes that with her fearless approach to pushing boundaries, she embodies the innovative spirit that MelBet values – which led to her appointment. This partnership is expected to strengthen MelBet’s connection with sports enthusiasts, gamers and those passionate about the game, opening up new opportunities for clients and helping to further expand the brand’s reach across South Asia.
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