Moonshine Technology is pivoting PokerBaazi to a hybrid ad-supported and subscription model, while platform operations transition to Get Zapped. The move reflects changing economics in India’s real-money gaming sector.
India’s real-money gaming market is recalibrating.
Moonshine Technology is shifting PokerBaazi — one of the country’s prominent online poker platforms — toward a hybrid advertising and subscription-based revenue model. At the same time, operations of the platform are set to be handled by Get Zapped, marking a structural change in how the business is run.
The pivot reflects mounting pressure on unit economics across India’s online gaming ecosystem, particularly after regulatory adjustments and higher tax burdens reshaped the sector’s cost structure.
A monetisation reset in real-money gaming
India’s online gaming industry has faced increased scrutiny over the past two years, including taxation changes that altered revenue models for real-money platforms.
Operators have had to rethink reliance on traditional rake-based or tournament-fee income streams.
By introducing advertising and subscription layers, PokerBaazi is effectively diversifying its revenue base.
A subscription model can:
- Create predictable recurring income
- Reduce volatility tied to player activity
- Incentivize long-term user retention
Ad-supported elements, meanwhile, open new monetisation channels without directly increasing gameplay costs for users.
Operational restructuring
The decision to have Get Zapped operate PokerBaazi suggests an effort to streamline management and potentially reduce operational overhead.
Such arrangements can allow parent entities to focus on strategic direction, brand development, and regulatory compliance, while operational partners manage platform execution and user engagement.
The structure may also reflect capital discipline in a market where investor funding has become more selective.
Competitive landscape in India
India’s online poker and broader real-money gaming sector remains competitive, with multiple operators vying for market share.
However, the economics of user acquisition have tightened. Rising customer acquisition costs and compliance expenditures have compressed margins.
In this environment, platforms are exploring hybrid monetisation structures that blend:
- Entry fees
- Premium membership tiers
- Brand partnerships
- In-app advertising
This diversification mirrors trends in global digital entertainment, where subscription-plus-ad models have become common.
Regulatory and tax backdrop
India’s updated tax regime for online gaming significantly altered revenue realization for operators.
Higher effective taxation on real-money gaming platforms has prompted industry-wide reassessment of sustainability models.
Companies that previously relied heavily on transaction-based revenue are now exploring ancillary streams to preserve margins.
Moonshine’s pivot reflects adaptation rather than expansion.
Implications for Moonshine players
For users, the shift could introduce new tiers of access or benefits tied to subscription plans.
Premium subscribers may gain:
- Exclusive tournaments
- Enhanced analytics tools
- Loyalty incentives
Ad-supported components, if implemented carefully, could subsidize lower-cost gameplay tiers.
The challenge lies in balancing monetisation with user experience. Excessive advertising could deter engagement in a competitive market.
A broader sector signal
The Moonshine underscores a maturing real-money gaming sector in India.
Rapid growth in earlier years gave way to regulatory clarity and taxation adjustments. Operators are now focusing on resilience and diversified revenue.
Moonshine’s strategy indicates that scale alone is insufficient; sustainable monetisation structures are essential.
If successful, the hybrid model may serve as a template for other Indian gaming platforms navigating similar pressures.
The era of single-stream revenue dependence in India’s gaming market may be ending.
