Flutter Is the Next Global Giant to Step Into India

The Gambling Operator Invests $3.5 Million in a New Hyderabad Facility

Just a few months after global casino and sportsbook operator Kindred Group PLC entered the local high-skilled job market by establishing a new Tech Hub in “the Silicon Valley of India” Bengaluru, the world’s biggest gambling company with a market cap of $37.5 billion (₹3.15 lakh crore) Flutter Entertainment PLC announced it has invested $3.5 million (₹29.4 crore) in a new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad.

Around 700 employees are already crowding the new facility, which spans across three floors and 80,000 sq. ft (7430 sq.m) at the RMZ Spire in Hyderabad’s Knowledge City, and Flutter plans to expand its workforce in India to 900 people within the current year of 2024 and attract 40% female leadership by 2026.

“Our expansion in India marks a huge milestone in Flutter’s growth and shows our continued commitment to investing in top talent to drive business growth globally,” stated Flutter’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Phil Bishop.

Flutter Entertainment is the proud owner of a number of popular gaming brands, such as the likes of FanDuel, Betfair, PaddyPower, PokerStars, and Junglee Games, among others. Collectively, Flutter’s brands brought in $11.79 billion (nearly ₹1 lakh crore) in revenues globally for the fiscal year of 2023, a 25% increase YoY (Year on Year).

More Excellent Data Analytics and Engineering Hires Sought

According to Flutter Entertainment’s official press release, the around 700 desi employees in the new GCC in Hyderabad work in various highly skilled fields, including “Data Engineering, Game Integrity Services, HR Operations, Procurement, Safety and Security, and Customer Operations.”

The management hopes to rope in more top talent in Data Analytics and Engineering through Flutter Edge, the company’s “distinctive, global competitive advantage across talent, technology, product and capital, which enables a symbiotic relationship between [Flutter’s] brands and the sharing of expertise company wide,” which will be now employed as the giant’s unique talent acquisition and retention program.

“With centres of excellence for Data Engineering, Game Integrity Services, Customer and HR Operations, Procurement and Finance, and through the power of the Flutter Edge, the Hyderabad Global Capability Centre is designed to foster creativity and growth and strengthens our presence in the Indian employment and skills market,” Phil Bishop pointed out.

“We are excited to expand our facility in Hyderabad as we continue to strengthen our presence in India. We aim to grow while maintaining a challenger mindset and leading the sector globally and India presents a significant opportunity for our business,” Flutter Entertainment India’s Managing Director Ashish Sinha said.

“This expansion aligns with our global vision of Changing the Game by enabling continuous improvement in product and technology across iGaming and sports betting across our portfolio of brands,” Ashish Sinha added.

Play Well: Flutter’s Responsibility Concept That Goes Beyond Gambling

Just like any big fish thriving in regulated gambling markets around the world in the modern day, Flutter Entertainment has been dedicating more and more focus to responsible gambling (RG) for many years.

In 2023 alone, the giant invested $101 million (₹848 crore) in its Play Well program, Flutter’s own responsible gambling tool that has much more under its scope than the industry standard, marking a 33.75% increase in funding compared to 2022.

The gambling giant aims to have three-quarters of its worldwide customers use the Play Well RG tool by the end of 2030. Currently, the tool is being used by 44.9% of Flutter’s client base, registering a 10.6% growth in tool use for 2023.

The Play Well initiative is guided by four principles, which are always tailored to the specific cultural environments, client preferences, and regulatory frameworks of the various local markets where the company’s brands operate.

According to the “Lead Progress” principle, the global iGaming major is committed to continuously investing in research, innovation, and collaboration, as well as to paying attention to the ideas of end clients, employees, and industry experts in order to “define what a positive play experience looks like and lead the way in providing it.”

“Promote Positive Play” is the second fundamental principle, which mandates Flutter to design its products and platforms in a way that promotes a safe and trusted customer experience by educating, assisting, and empowering players.

The “Effective Interaction” principle combines tech and data with a personalized approach to interacting with end clients and identifying telltale signs of potential trouble. This principle is aimed at helping players “pause, reflect, and make positive choices.”

Last but not least, Flutter’s “Support and Protect” Play Well principle obligates the company to support its customers in every possible way through “robust internal infrastructures, partnerships, and funding new initiatives,” recognizing that some players need dedicated support or even interventions to keep away from negative gambling habits.

Flutter Entertainment Named Among TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies 2024

As a testament to its continuous efforts at achieving excellence and its sheer size, Flutter Entertainment was included in the pioneer section of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024.

“I am enormously proud of everyone across our global business for working so tirelessly to make Flutter the fantastic company it is today,” Flutter CEO Peter Jackson commented.

“Receiving this recognition from TIME offers a well-deserved moment to reflect on our recent successes as we fix our sights firmly on our next phase of growth. We are very excited for the future,” Jackson continued.