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, it establishing a new Tech Hub in Bengaluru. This area is known as “the Silicon Valley of India.”

Flutter Entertainment PLC, the world’s biggest gambling company with a market cap of $37.5 billion (₹3.15 lakh crore), announced its investment. The company has invested $3.5 million (₹29.4 crore) in a new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad.

Around 700 employees are already working in the new facility. This facility spans three floors and covers 80,000 sq. ft (7430 sq. m) at the RMZ Spire in Hyderabad’s Knowledge City. Flutter plans to expand its workforce in India to 900 people within 2024. The company also aims to 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 several popular gaming brands. These include FanDuel, Betfair, PaddyPower, PokerStars, and Junglee Games, among others.

Collectively, Flutter’s brands generated $11.79 billion (nearly ₹1 lakh crore) in revenues globally for the fiscal year of 2023. This represents a 25% increase year-on-year (YoY).

More Excellent Data Analytics and Engineering Hires Sought

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

The management hopes to attract more top talent in Data Analytics and Engineering. They plan to achieve this through Flutter Edge. This initiative is the company’s “distinctive, global competitive advantage” across talent, technology, product, and capital.

Flutter Edge enables a symbiotic relationship between Flutter’s brands and the sharing of expertise company-wide. It will now be used 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

Like any big fish thriving in regulated gambling markets today, Flutter Entertainment has been focusing more on responsible gambling (RG) for many years.

In 2023 alone, the company invested $101 million (₹848 crore) in its Play Well program. This is Flutter’s own responsible gambling tool, which has a broader scope than the industry standard. The funding marked a 33.75% increase compared to 2022.

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

Four principles guide the Play Well initiative. These principles are always tailored to the specific cultural environments, client preferences, and regulatory frameworks of the various local markets where the company’s brands operate.

Continuous research investments important

According to the “Lead Progress” principle, the global iGaming major commits to several key areas. These include continuously investing in research, innovation, and collaboration. The company also pays attention to the ideas of end clients, employees, and industry experts. This commitment aims to “define what a positive play experience looks like and lead the way in providing it.”

“Promote Positive Play” is the second fundamental principle. It mandates Flutter to design its products and platforms to promote a safe and trusted customer experience. The company achieves this by educating, assisting, and empowering players.

The “Effective Interaction” principle combines technology and data with a personalized approach. It focuses on interacting with end clients and identifying telltale signs of potential trouble. This principle aims to help players “pause, reflect, and make positive choices.”

Lastly, Flutter’s “Support and Protect” Play Well principle obligates the company to support its customers in every possible way. This support is provided through “robust internal infrastructures, partnerships, and funding new initiatives.” The principle recognizes that some players need dedicated support or even interventions to avoid 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.