Sat, May 10, 2025 | Updated 3:03AM IST

The Rise of Gaming In India.

Times of Bennett | Updated: Mar 27, 2023 13:14
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By Srishti Basu

India has seen a significant rise in the gaming industry in recent years and the number of players, developers and investors has increased. The industry has exploded with affordable smartphones, high-speed internet and digital payment options. According to a Nasscom report, India's gaming industry is expected to grow to $3.8 billion by 2022, almost three times the size of 2016. In this article, we explore the reasons behind the growth of gambling in India and the industry's potential in the next years
One of the main drivers behind the growth of the Indian gaming industry is the growing popularity of mobile gaming. India is the second largest smartphone market in the world with over 500 million smartphone users. The proliferation of affordable smartphones has made gaming accessible to a large portion of the population. In addition, the development of games that run on cheaper smartphones has made it possible for people with limited resources to enjoy gaming.
Another important factor influencing the growth of gaming in India is the availability of high-speed internet. The widespread use of 4G networks and the upcoming 5G network have made online gaming easier and more enjoyable. The increased speed of internet connection has resulted in a smooth gaming experience even in multiplayer games. With the spread of multiplayer online games, the gaming community in India has exploded, which has increased the demand for online games.
The advent of digital payments has also played a crucial role in the growth of the Indian gaming industry. With the introduction of digital wallet and UPI payments, it has become easier for people to shop online. In-game purchases have become a popular way for developers to monetize their games, and the ease of digital payments has made it easier for players to make purchases. This created a revenue stream for the Indian gaming industry, leading to more investment and economic growth.
Another important factor influencing the growth of the gaming industry in India is the growth of eSports. Esports refers to competitive gaming where players compete against each other in organized tournaments. Esports has gained immense popularity in India and several tournaments are organized every year. The tournaments offer huge prize money, which has led to many Indian players taking up eSports as a profession. The growing popularity of e-sports has led to the development of gaming infrastructure in the country, including gaming cafes, gaming arenas and player training centers.
The rise of gambling in India has also led to the development of the gaming community in the country. As multiplayer online games become more and more popular, players form communities and interact with each other through social media platforms. This has led to the emergence of gaming influencers who have huge followings on social media. These influencers helped to promote the gaming industry in India and created a larger audience for the gaming industry. The potential of the Indian gaming industry is huge and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Due to the youth population, there is a large gaming market in India. Additionally, the government's focus on the digital economy and the rise of startups in the country have created a favorable environment for the gaming industry to thrive. The industry can create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the Indian economy.
However, the Indian gaming industry needs to overcome challenges to realize its full potential. One of the main challenges is the lack of game development infrastructure. Although the number of game developers in India is growing, there is a lack of infrastructure in game development that includes hardware, software and talent. The government must invest in the development of the infrastructure of the game industry to create an ecosystem that supports game development in the country.
Another challenge faced by the Indian gaming industry is lack of awareness