Let’s Game Now Secures ₹30 Crore to Develop Indian Esports League

Esports Expansion Plans

Bengaluru-based gaming startup Let’s Game Now has secured ₹30 crore in a funding round led by industrialist Anand Mahindra, Bestvantage Investments, and a UAE-based family office. The capital is earmarked for the development of the Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL), a proposed franchise-based property intended to integrate competitive gaming, sports, and entertainment.

2018

Santanu Basu founded Let’s Game Now, an esports platform designed to connect brands with gamers. Since its inception, the startup has expanded its operations to include live broadcasting services across South and Southeast Asia. The company reports it has organized over 2,000 events and serves more than 30 clients, with a claimed reach of 50 million viewers across 18 countries.

2025

The Indian gaming industry faced significant restructuring after the government implemented a ban on real money gaming (RMG). This policy shift forced many startups to pivot away from RMG revenue streams. In response, Let’s Game Now is pivoting toward a franchise model to build recurring revenue through teams, players, and fans, rather than relying solely on individual tournaments.

Current Market Outlook

The startup intends to leverage its existing infrastructure to support the ISGL, including a network spanning 400 colleges across 80 cities. While the company has not disclosed a launch timeline or specific monetization strategy, it plans to utilize its community of 1.4 million members to drive engagement. The Indian gaming market is currently valued at approximately $3.8 billion and is projected to reach $9.2 billion by the 2029 fiscal year.

Why it matters: This investment signals a broader shift in the Indian gaming sector as companies move away from real money gaming toward sustainable, franchise-based models. For the Middle East, the involvement of a UAE-based family office highlights the growing cross-border interest and capital flow between Gulf investors and the rapidly expanding Indian esports entertainment landscape.