India's PokerBaazi becomes title sponsor for Poker Sports League Season 7
India’s largest online poker platform, PokerBaazi, has been announced as the title sponsor for Season 7 of the Poker Sports League (PSL). According to the company, this partnership “marks a new chapter in poker’s evolution, expanding its reach and solidifying its position as a game of skill, strategy, and mental agility.”
The announcement comes on the heels of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) officially recognising poker as a mind sport in 2024, placing it alongside disciplines like chess and esports.
Even as many people still disagree with the school of thought that poker is a game of skill, this recognition has further validated poker as a game requiring strategic depth, mental resilience, and analytical thinking.
Elevating poker as a competitive sport
PokerBaazi, a thriving online poker community with over 4.5 million users, has played a significant role in making online poker more accessible and fostering a competitive environment in India.
This partnership with PSL is expected to amplify the game’s reach, providing Indian players with greater opportunities to compete at professional levels.
PSL, recognised as the world’s most-watched poker league, has played a crucial role in popularising poker as a structured sport. Season 6 of PSL saw a record-breaking 22.6 million views on streaming platform JioCinema, highlighting the growing interest in competitive poker. With Season 7 expanding to eight competing teams, the league aims to push boundaries by integrating influencers and additional professional players to enhance competition and audience engagement.
Industry leaders comment on partnership
Pranav Bagai, CEO and Co-founder of Poker Sports League called this collaboration a “watershed moment” for poker in India.
“With PokerBaazi’s expertise in the poker space and PSL’s proven track record in delivering world-class poker entertainment, we are poised to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights.”
Navkiran Singh, Founder & CEO of Baazi Games, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the league’s impact.
“PSL’s unique and engaging format has created a love for the league in the Indian poker community. This collaboration will create more awareness about the sport in our country, and we are excited to be part of it.”
Zero entry fee
One of the key aspects of PSL is its free-to-enter structure, allowing aspiring players from diverse backgrounds to showcase their skills at the highest levels. With an impressive track record of fresh player registrations, PSL continues to redefine poker as a legitimate mind sport that blends skill, strategic thinking, and mental endurance.
The previous season witnessed a staggering Rs 2 crore prize pool ($240,000), solidifying PSL’s reputation as a premier global poker league. With PokerBaazi as the title sponsor, Season 7 promises to be even bigger, with details on the tournament format, prize pool, and qualification process expected to be revealed soon.
Poker’s rising status in India
This partnership is another step toward mainstreaming poker as a skill-based sport in India. As the industry faces headwinds such as regulatory challenges, high taxes et cetera, initiatives like PSL and collaborations with major platforms like PokerBaazi are helping to reshape public perception and strengthen the game’s legitimacy.
