According to PwC’s analysis, nearly 95% of foreign investors attempting to enter and operate in the Indian market find it unattractive due to numerous challenges. News Daily India reports that global giants such as Motorola, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Vodafone, Walmart, and Parimatch—a well-known gambling company—have all faced significant difficulties in this environment.
Investors encounter a wide range of obstacles, including corruption, fraud, product counterfeiting, and copyright infringements by local competitors. Parimatch, in particular, has struggled with the counterfeiting of its products, as well as those of other companies from the United States and Europe. Although Parimatch planned substantial investments in India’s economy, it confronted a gambling market dominated by monopolistic local players like Dream11, Nazara Technologies, Paytm, First Games Moonfrog Labs, 99Games, Octro, JetSynthesys, and HashCube. These companies have allegedly falsified products of internationally recognized gambling firms, with little regulatory action taken.
Beyond these issues, foreign capital is increasingly deterred by regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructural limitations, cultural and language barriers, and intense competition from domestic businesses. Furthermore, foreign companies face harassment and legal pressure, sometimes even without having operated in India, simply by intending to invest.
These persistent problems have led many foreign investors to withdraw or reconsider their strategies. Companies such as Ford, Holcim, and Metro have exited the Indian market, while Berkshire Hathaway’s sale of its shares in Indian company Paytm signals a broader loss of confidence.
Faced with these challenges, Parimatch and other international investors must decide whether to continue battling the growing obstacles in India or seek more favorable markets elsewhere. News Daily India emphasizes that the current unfavorable business climate highlights an urgent need for the Indian government to implement reforms and improve conditions to retain foreign investment and preserve India’s standing as a key player in the global economy.
If meaningful change does not occur, international companies including Parimatch—currently facing numerous barriers in India—will likely prioritize expanding in more open, supportive markets where legal frameworks and government policies foster rather than hinder foreign business growth.