Vats started his first business at 15. Now 24, he has built companies in gaming, cryptocurrency, and consumer goods, including Vivmense, an intimate hygiene brand, and Shaukiya, a mouth freshener company.
Kevlani, a music entrepreneur since the age of 16 and founder of D Studios and Syndicate Entertainments, brings deep expertise in sound engineering, event management, and marketing, with a strong focus on shaping immersive experiences and resonant brands across the entertainment industry.
Their backgrounds couldn’t be more different, but both saw the same opportunity: India’s poker scene was fragmented and lacked the polish that serious players wanted.
Bridging Online and Offline Gaming
Monarch’s Den launches with two physical poker clubs in Lucknow alongside an online platform. The idea is simple, let players move seamlessly between digital and in-person games while building a real community around poker.
“Most poker platforms are either purely online or just physical venues,” Vats explains. “We wanted to create something that works both ways. Play online during the week, meet the same people at our clubs on weekends.”
“As someone who’s built communities through music and live events, I know the real magic happens when people truly connect,” Kevlani adds. “With Monarch’s Den, we’re crafting an environment—both online and offline—where players feel like they belong, not just compete. It’s about turning every game into an experience and every player into part of our story.”
The timing works. India’s gaming laws are getting clearer about skill-based games like poker, and players want options that feel legitimate and safe. Monarch’s Den positions itself as a regulated, premium alternative to underground poker rooms or basic online apps.
Learning from Multiple Industries
Kevlani’s entertainment background brings evening margins into mainstream entertainment. Their clubs offer premium experiences for serious players while staying accessible to newcomers who might be intimidated by traditional poker rooms.
“Poker has an image problem in India,” Kevlani notes. “People think it’s either gambling or too complex to learn. We’re showing it’s a skill-based game that anyone can enjoy in the right environment.”
Monarch’s Den’s integrated approach, combining online convenience with offline community, could set the template for other skill-based gaming ventures in India. For two entrepreneurs who’ve already disrupted multiple industries, poker represents their biggest bet yet.
To know more visit - www.monarchsden.in
