Saudi gaming studio Kammelna has secured a landmark investment of USD 53 million (SAR 200 million) from venture capital and asset management firm Impact46, marking one of the largest funding commitments for a homegrown gaming company in the Kingdom.
The deal was unveiled at the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC25), held alongside the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global gaming and esports sector.
Founded in Dammam, the studio rose to prominence with its mobile adaptation of Baloot, the Kingdom’s most beloved card game. The app has already been downloaded over 6 million times and today boasts more than 1 million monthly active users.
The new funding will enable them to scale its reach, expand its library of culturally inspired games, and push forward on its mission to bring Saudi traditions into the global digital gaming arena.
“Our cultural games deserve world-class digital experiences,” said Bader Al Zamil, CEO of Kammelna. “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.”
For Impact46, the investment is not just financial — it’s a strategic endorsement of Saudi IP that blends entertainment with cultural heritage.
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“Kammelna delivers on every front — loyal users, high retention, smart monetization, and cultural equity,” said Abdulaziz Al Omran, Founder and CEO of Impact46. “This deal is a turning point not just for Saudi gaming, but for what it means to invest in culturally grounded, scalable IP.”
Kammelna and Gaming Under Vision 2030
The investment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, a Vision 2030 initiative spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Kingdom has made gaming and esports a central pillar of its diversification agenda, with a goal of creating 39,000 jobs and contributing SAR 50 billion ($13.3 billion) to GDP by 2030.
The Kammelna-Impact46 partnership reflects how Saudi talent and Saudi capital are converging to build a globally competitive industry.
With the country emerging as a hub for esports tournaments, game publishing, and content creation, local studios like Kammelna are poised to anchor the next wave of regional gaming innovation.
As Saudi Arabia pushes to become a world leader in gaming and esports, Kammelna’s story highlights how cultural heritage and digital entertainment can merge to build both local pride and international appeal.
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