Hike, initially launched as a competitor to WhatsApp, is set to shut down after 13 years. The decision comes after the app’s foray into real-money gaming, which was successful in building a user base. However, the Indian government’s restrictions on real-money gaming have led to financial losses, prompting founder Kavin Bharti Mittal to make the difficult decision to close down the entire operation. Hike had a promising new business in the US as well, but the restrictions in India proved insurmountable.
