PokerBaazi acquires majority stake in new fantasy website BalleBaazi

Leading online poker website PokerBaazi (Baazi Networks Pvt. Ltd.) has decided to start a new fantasy sports website BalleBaazi, as per information released by the company. The new fantasy sports portal, which will be operated by SBN Gaming Network Pvt. Ltd. was launched in January 2018, has several unique features like micro fantasy formats and batting and bowling specific fantasy games.

While it is understood that BalleBaazi would operate as separate entity, PokerBaazi founders would have majority stake in the venture and would be guiding the initiative. The amounts invested or committed to be invested by Baazi Networks or its founders for the majority stake has not been disclosed.

Commenting on the investment, Navkiran Singh, CEO of PokerBaazi said, “This investment comes as part of our endeavour to expand and grow online gaming in India as a whole. Fantasy cricket has a huge scope in a cricket crazy country like India. Seeing a huge market potential and a very passionate and driven team of BalleBaazi, we decided this is the right time to get into fantasy sports. The synergy between our teams will certainly help us propel BalleBaazi to the top.”

Explaining the rationale behind launching a new fantasy sports website in an increasingly competitive environment, BalleBaazi Director Puneet Dua said, “BalleBaazi has some new batting and bowling fantasy formats. These are shorter and more fun to play as compared to the existing popular classic fantasy game. Someone like PokerBaazi joining us at this time is a huge boost for BalleBaazi. Navkiran and his team have built a trust worthy poker brand in the country and I am confident that this association will lead us to the top of fantasy gaming in India.”

BalleBaazi promoters said that they might rope in Olympic boxer Vijender Singh to endorse their website in future. Singh was recently roped in by Pokerbaazi as their brand ambassador.