Indian gaming platform Winzo is reshaping its business strategy after the Indian government’s blanket ban on real-money games. The company has exited this segment in the domestic market and announced two major moves — expansion into the US gaming industry and the launch of a short video platform Zo TV. This marks a significant shift in Winzo’s approach as it looks to strengthen its global footprint while diversifying its offerings for Indian users.
The recent Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, brought sweeping changes to India’s online gaming sector. The bill imposed a blanket ban on all real-money games of chance, while allowing only “games of skill” to continue. As a result, multiple companies in the space were forced to take down their platforms that violated the new regulation.
Winzo, one of India’s largest gaming startups, was also impacted. The company discontinued its real-money gaming portfolio and currently operates only its free-to-play Ludo app on Google Play.
To counter the restrictions in India, Winzo announced its entry into the United States, one of the largest gaming markets in the world. This move follows its successful international expansion into Brazil two years ago.
The company stated that the US launch will not only open new revenue opportunities but also provide a platform for Indian game developers to showcase their products globally. With its plug-and-launch distribution model, developers can seamlessly introduce their games to American audiences.
Winzo confirmed that its entire catalogue of 100+ e-sports and social games will now be available in the US. These titles, available in more than 15 Indian languages, are supported by the company’s cutting-edge technology stack, which includes:
Real-Time Game Engine
Live Streaming Integration
AI-powered Companion Tools
AI-driven Cybersecurity Solutions
By leveraging these technologies, Winzo aims to deliver a secure, engaging, and immersive experience for US gamers.
Parallel to its global expansion, Winzo has also entered the short video entertainment space in India. The company launched Zo TV, a subscription-based platform that will exclusively focus on micro dramas.
Unlike popular short-video platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, Zo TV will only feature first-party curated content, giving it a niche positioning in the market. According to early reports, the platform currently features three shows, dubbed from foreign languages.
Zo TV follows a micro-payment subscription model, making it highly affordable for Indian audiences. The first few episodes of each show are available for free, while subsequent episodes can be unlocked for just ₹2 per episode.
This pricing strategy ensures wider accessibility while also creating a new monetization avenue for short-format storytelling in India.
Micro dramas, typically ranging from 2 to 20 minutes per episode, are becoming increasingly popular across Asia and the US. Countries like China, South Korea, and Japan have already embraced the trend, with millions of viewers consuming bite-sized narrative content.
According to Source, the global market size for micro dramas (outside China) could reach $10 billion (₹87,400 crore) by 2027. With Zo TV, Winzo is positioning itself early in this high-growth segment.
Conclusion
Winzo’s latest strategic moves reflect its adaptability in the face of regulatory challenges. By exiting real-money games in India, expanding to the US market, and launching Zo TV in the domestic market, the company is creating a diversified growth roadmap.
While the Indian ban has limited its domestic offerings, Winzo’s international expansion and pivot to entertainment content could open up new opportunities and revenue streams. If Zo TV succeeds in capturing the Indian audience, and the US expansion drives global adoption, Winzo could emerge as a leading global gaming and entertainment brand.