Head Digital Works
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMadhapur, India
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Head Digital Works does
Head Digital Works Private Limited (formerly Head Infotech India Private Limited) is an Indian online skill-gaming company founded in 2006 in Hyderabad, operating three flagship consumer gaming brands: A23 Rummy (digital transformation of traditional Indian Rummy, 80M+ registered users), A23 Poker, and Adda52 (India's largest poker site with 12 years of legacy). The company distributes games directly to consumers via www.a23.com, dedicated Adda52.com, and Android/iOS mobile applications, using a Next.js static site deployed on AWS S3 with CloudFront CDN, Photon Realtime for multiplayer networking, and the Unity game engine for game development. Historical business model was direct-to-consumer real-money gaming with rake-based platform commission on player deposits and wagers, supplemented by KYC-verified onboarding and self-regulatory memberships in the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and E-Gaming Federation (EGF).
Following India's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025, effective October 1, 2025, the company was forced to shut down all cash games and transition to a strictly free-to-play model in which points, tokens, and rewards have no monetary value and revenue generation is not disclosed. The company has challenged PROGA 2025's constitutionality before the Supreme Court of India. As a consequence of the ban, Head Digital Works reduced its workforce from 606 to 178 employees (~71% reduction), lead investor Clairvest Group wrote off its full Rs 760 crore (~USD 90M) investment for a Rs 486 crore net loss in the September 2025 quarter, and the company additionally faces retrospective 28% GST demands upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2026. The company maintains three offices (Hyderabad HQ, Bangalore, Mumbai) and continues CSR activities through the Head Foundation.
Head Digital Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Head Digital Works
- Legal name
- Head Digital Works Private Limited
- Website
- https://hdworks.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Head Digital Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Skill Gaming
- NAICS
- Other Gambling Industries (713290)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Poker Operators (Real-Money) (MPAEAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Casino Platform Providers (PAM, Wallet, CMS, Back Office) (MPAEABAK), Poker Integrity, Security & Dispute Resolution (Collusion, Bot Detection) (MPAEAEAM)
Keywords
Where Head Digital Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madhapur
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Head Digital Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Real-Money Gaming (Discontinued): Historically, Head Digital Works operated real-money online rummy and poker games, generating revenue through platform commission (rake) on player deposits and wagers. This business was banned under India's PROGA 2025 effective October 1, 2025. The company was forced to shut down cash games and transitioned to a free-to-play model. Wallet balance withdrawals were required by August 23, 2025, with forfeiture of unclaimed balances by February 10, 2026.
- Free-to-Play Gaming (Current): Following the PROGA 2025 ban on real-money gaming, all games on the platform are now strictly free-to-play. No real-money stakes are required or permitted. Points, tokens, credits, or rewards have no monetary or cash value and are provided solely for gameplay and entertainment purposes. Revenue generation from this model is not disclosed in available sources.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play only model - no real-money gaming |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Head Digital Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Head Digital Works operates India's pioneer online skill-gaming platforms under the A23 brand, offering free-to-play digital rummy and poker games through web and mobile (Android/iOS) channels. The portfolio includes A23 Rummy (80M+ users), A23 Poker, and Adda52 (India's largest poker site). Historically a real-money gaming platform, the company transitioned to free-to-play following India's PROGA 2025 ban effective October 1, 2025.
Product overview
Head Digital Works operates India's oldest online skill-gaming platform under the A23 brand, offering a portfolio of free-to-play poker and rummy games. The core products include A23 Rummy (the first platform to digitally transform traditional Indian Rummy with 80+ million registered users), A23 Poker (a mobile/desktop poker app with tutorials), and Adda52 (India's largest poker site with 12 years of legacy offering multiple poker variants). Following India's real-money gaming ban under PROGA 2025, all games transitioned to free-to-play format with points/tokens having no monetary value.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- A23 Rummy
Quantifiable outcome
- 80M+ registered users across A23 Rummy, A23 Poker, and Adda52 platforms
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Head Digital Works
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Head Digital Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Head Digital Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Head Foundation (CSR Initiative)minorThe Head Foundation is the CSR arm of Head Digital Works, partnering with NGOs including Ummeed (child education), Care Educational Trust (vocational training for differently-abled), Nirmaan (road safety driver education for Hyderabad Traffic Police), Divya Downs Development Trust (education for children with Down syndrome), and Stalin Nagar Primary School. Impact includes 100+ hearing impaired children empowered since 2018, rehabilitation of 100+ specially abled children, and 32 critical cardiac surgeries for children.
- All India Gaming Federation (AIGF)minorHead Digital Works is a member of the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), a not-for-profit organization established to develop and self-regulate the e-gaming industry in India.
- E-Gaming Federation (EGF)minorHead Digital Works is a member of the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), a not-for-profit organization established to develop and self-regulate the e-gaming industry in India.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Head Digital Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mobile Premier League (MPL): Indian mobile gaming platform offering casual and skill-based games including rummy and fantasy sports. Comparable as a multi-vertical Indian online gaming operator serving similar consumer base.
- Dream Sports (Dream11): India's leading fantasy sports platform and one of the most valuable Indian gaming companies. Directly comparable as a large-scale Indian online gaming operator in the skill-based gaming category.
- Junglee Games: India-based online skill and casual gaming company owned by Flutter Entertainment, operating fantasy sports and card games. Directly comparable as a domestic online gaming operator hit by the same PROGA 2025 ban and forced to slash headcount.
- Gameskraft: India's largest online rummy operator offering RummyCulture and other skill games. Most direct competitor to A23 Rummy in the Indian rummy market, also impacted by PROGA 2025.
- WinZO: India-based vernacular social gaming platform offering 100+ skill-based games. Comparable as a domestic operator in the Indian online skill gaming space with overlapping player demographics.
- Pocket Aces (Loco): Indian esports and casual gaming platform. Comparable as a domestic online gaming operator competing for similar young Indian gamer audience with skill-based content.
Broad incumbents
- PokerStars: World's largest online poker operator owned by Flutter Entertainment. Comparable as the global benchmark for poker platform operations against which Adda52 (India's largest poker site) competes.
- Nazara Technologies: Listed Indian gaming and sports media company with diversified portfolio across mobile gaming, eSports, and skill gaming. Comparable as a broader Indian gaming incumbent with adjacent exposure to skill-based real-money formats.
Regional players
- Aditya Infotech: India-headquartered online gaming company with skill-based card game operations including rummy variants. Comparable as a smaller domestic peer operating in the same skill-gaming category.
- Delta Corp: India's largest casino and gaming company, also an investor in Head Digital Works. Comparable as a domestic gaming operator in adjacent verticals (casinos) facing similar regulatory headwinds (28% GST ruling).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Head Digital Works social profiles
Digital presenceHead Digital Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Head Digital Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Head Digital Works subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Head Digital Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Head Digital Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Head Digital Works
What does Head Digital Works do?
Head Digital Works operates India's pioneer online skill-gaming platforms under the A23 brand, offering free-to-play digital rummy and poker games through web and mobile (Android/iOS) channels. The portfolio includes A23 Rummy (80M+ users), A23 Poker, and Adda52 (India's largest poker site). Historically a real-money gaming platform, the company transitioned to free-to-play following India's PROGA 2025 ban effective October 1, 2025.
Is Head Digital Works a public or private company?
Head Digital Works is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Head Digital Works founded?
Head Digital Works was founded in 2006. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Head Digital Works based?
Head Digital Works is headquartered in Madhapur, India, in the Asia region.
How does Head Digital Works make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Real-Money Gaming (Discontinued) is the primary driver. The others are free-to-Play Gaming (Current).
Who are Head Digital Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mobile Premier League (MPL), Dream Sports (Dream11), Junglee Games, Gameskraft, WinZO and Pocket Aces (Loco). Broad incumbents are PokerStars and Nazara Technologies. Regional players are Aditya Infotech and Delta Corp.
Does Head Digital Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Head Digital Works.
What industry is Head Digital Works in?
Head Digital Works's product category is Online Skill Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEAEAC, Online Poker Operators (Real-Money), with a secondary code of MPAEABAK, Online Casino Platform Providers (PAM, Wallet, CMS, Back Office). Its NAICS code is 713290 and its SIC code is 7990.