Game Taco changes name to WorldWinner to highlight its skill-based gaming brand

10.10.2023 - 17:03 / venturebeat.com

Game Taco has officially changed its name to WorldWinner, signifying its focus on its biggest brand for publishing games for the skill-based games category.

With over 20 years of loyal players, WorldWinner aims to continue its legacy as the preferred platform for skill gaming. The rebrand comes at a time when skill-based games account for more than 13% of the total mobile games market. Players can place wagers in skill-based games and win real money, but it’s not considered gambling in 41 states because of the focus on skill instead of random luck.

Sony sold WorldWinner to Game Taco in 2021 for “eight figures.” The Worldwinner side of the business — its consumer gaming service — is based in Henderson, Nevada, and it is the most recognized and trusted skill games technology platform and brand, said Nancy MacIntyre, CEO of WorldWinner, in an interview with GamesBeat.

“WorldWinner has been around for almost 25 years. And it used to be part of Sony GSN,” MacIntyre said.

GamesBeat Next 2023

Join the GamesBeat community in San Francisco this October 23-24. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry on latest developments and their take on the future of gaming.

And then 2.5 years ago, Sony sold the business to Platinum Equity, which rebranded the company as Game Taco with the idea there would be The WorldWinner direct-to-consumer brand and then the Game Taco white-label business with the first partner being FanDuel. The platform included matchmaking services and more.

“It made a ton of sense, but as I came in and recognized that WorldWinner was really a dominant brand and skill gaming was well-known to users. There have been over 34 million people that have played the games. And it just seem obvious that we should really turn it back to the brand that people know.”

WorldWinner has more than 34 million users and over five billion games played. The platform has awarded a whopping $2 billion in winnings, making it the go-to destination for players seeking real cash prizes. Given those numbers, it makes sense to go with the best-known brand, whereas Game Taco has been focused on a platform for other companies to build skill-based games. One of those partners is FanDuel, the big fantasy sports wagering company.

“WorldWinner has been a key driver of that growth as the preferred platform for players looking to put their gaming skills to the test for a chance to win real cash prizes,” MacIntyre said. “The trusted reputation and legacy of WorldWinner among consumers prompted the decision to adopt the name for the entire company. We’re looking forward to not only continuing the legacy but growing it with the next era of WorldWinner.”

Industry analysts project significant growth in the global skill-based