Mumbai: PokerBaazi, a poker platform, has joined hands with Poker Sports League (PSL) for its highly anticipated Season 7, marking a major milestone in the evolution of poker in India. This strategic partnership not only strengthens PokerBaazi’s dominance in the Indian poker ecosystem but also underscores the growing recognition of poker as a mind sport, highlighting its strategic depth and mental agility.
The collaboration comes after the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) officially recognized poker as a mind sport in 2024, a significant move that positions poker alongside globally respected disciplines such as chess and eSports. This validation reinforces the sport’s intellectual nature, demanding exceptional strategic insight and intense focus.
As the title sponsor, PokerBaazi brings its decade-long legacy and thriving community of over 45 lakh users to PSL. As India’s largest online poker platform, PokerBaazi has played an instrumental role in popularizing poker, making it more accessible to a wide audience, and nurturing India’s emerging poker talent.
Meanwhile, PSL continues to grow as the world’s most-watched poker event, with its Season 6 recording a staggering 22.6 million views on JioCinema. Season 7 promises even greater excitement, with the introduction of eight competing teams, each featuring an influencer alongside professional players, bringing fresh energy and enhancing the competitive format. This evolution promises to elevate the level of competition, ensuring an even more thrilling experience for viewers.
“The partnership between PokerBaazi and PSL is a watershed moment for Poker in India,” said Pranav Bagai, CEO and Co-founder of Poker Sports League. “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, expressed excitement about the partnership: “PSL’s unique and engaging format has created a deep connection with the Indian Poker community. The league has generated immense love and will continue to raise awareness about the sport in our country. We are excited to come onboard and help make it even bigger.”
PSL’s unique team-based format continues to distinguish it, transforming poker into a competitive sport while offering players from all backgrounds the opportunity to showcase their skills. As a free-to-enter league, PSL provides passionate poker enthusiasts with the chance to compete for substantial prize pools and gain national recognition, further cementing its status as a premier platform for talent discovery.
With the highest number of new registrations in any poker league globally, PSL continues to set benchmarks in competitive poker. Season 6’s record-breaking prize pool of INR 2 crores cemented PSL’s position as the world’s premier poker league, and with PokerBaazi now joining forces, Season 7 promises to raise the stakes even higher.
Details on the tournament format, prize pool, and qualification process will be announced in the coming weeks. This landmark partnership is set to further elevate India’s poker ecosystem, strengthening its global presence and solidifying poker’s status as a skill-based mind sport.
