UK-listed online bingo operator Stride Gaming has acquired a 51% controlling stake in Indian operator Passion Gaming, paying $3.75 million (£2.8 million) to do so.

Established in 2015, Chandigarh-based Passion Gaming has a particular focus on the Indian skills gaming market, and is the operator of popular Indian rummy portal RummyPassion.com.

Issuing a corporate statement, Stride Gaming CEO Eitan Boyd detailed how his company had gained an important asset for its accelerated growth strategy.

He said: “We have been monitoring the Indian market for some time as we see strong dynamics in the current environment as well as long-term growth potential. Our UK market experience and proprietary technology advantage, combined with Passion Gaming’s market positioning and operational focus creates a highly attractive proposition.”

Bobby Garg, co-founder and CEO of Passion Gaming, said the partnership with Stride places the firm “in a strong position to bring international standards to rapidly growing Indian gaming market.”

In its corporate update, Stride governance detailed that it had first right to acquire the remaining 49% of equity in Passion Gaming. The company will move to expand RummyPassion.com’s games portfolio with further investment in the asset.

Totally Gaming says: India is one of the world’s largest emerging economies, and it's betting industry is gradually beginning to reflect this. UK-based gaming and betting operator Stride Gaming has reinforced its global growth plans with this acquisition of Passion Gaming - one of the leading suppliers of the popular Indian game rummy. Stride now has over 300 employees worldwide, in countries such as Mauritius, Israel and South Africa.