Saudi VC Impact46 Makes SAR +200M Bet on Baloot Developer in Landmark Gaming Deal

Impact46, one of Saudi Arabia’s most active technology investors, has made its largest bet yet, committing more than 200 million riyals ($53 million) to back Kammelna, the Saudi gaming studio best known for bringing the Kingdom’s iconic card game Baloot to mobile screens.

Founded in Dammam, Kammelna has built a reputation as the digital home for Baloot. The platform has racked up more than 6 million downloads, and draws over 1 million monthly active users. With a 40-person team spanning engineering, product, and art, the company is now the Kingdom’s largest independent gaming employer. Its Baloot tournaments have drawn as many as 150,000 participants, underscoring the cultural resonance of its games.

“Kammelna delivers on every front — loyal users, high retention, smart monetization, and cultural equity,” said Abdulaziz Al Omran, Impact46 Founder and CEO. “This deal is a turning point not just for Saudi gaming, but for what it means to invest in culturally grounded, scalable IP.”

The deal was officially unveiled on Saturday, August 23, during the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC25), a gaming-focused event held alongside the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Kammelna’s CEO Bader Al Zamil said the partnership will accelerate the studio’s ambitions. “Our cultural games deserve world-class digital experiences. Partnering with Impact46 marks an exciting new chapter for us to expand our reach and create even more games that carry the spirit of our culture to players everywhere,” he said.

Impact46, which manages a dedicated gaming-focused fund alongside more than 2.3 billion riyals in assets under management, has returned over 3.3 billion riyals to its investors. The firm was an early backer of Rasan and Jahez, both of which later listed on the Tadawul exchange, and has also invested in category-defining startups such as Almatar, Syarah and ZenHR.

The deal underscores Saudi Arabia’s sweeping commitment to gaming and entertainment under Vision 2030, a push spearheaded by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman through the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. Backed by strong government support, the sector is emerging as a pillar of the Kingdom’s diversification agenda. Impact46 and Kammelna said the deal reflects both Saudi talent and capital coming together to build a global industry, made possible by the leadership’s vision and sustained commitment to the ecosystem.