There appears to be no stopping the rise of the iGaming industry across the world, and India is no exception. There are many reasons why the iGaming industry is growing in popularity in India and we will explore some of them below.
Smartphone Users
The majority of iGaming activity is conducted using a smartphone and between 2020 and 2021, India will have over 500 million smartphone users. This is set to increase further by the end of 2023 and the iGaming industry has a huge target market in India simply due to the high number of people using a smartphone.
There are now plenty of affordable smartphones available, with different models on offer at cheaper prices when compared to the well-known brands. This puts iGaming into the hands of more people in India, which is exciting for the industry.
Best iGaming Operators Now Based In India
There was a time when anyone in India who wanted to gamble online was forced to use offshore websites that were not recommended. Times have changed and there are now many excellent online casinos in India that have been adapted to suit Indian players.
Many of the biggest game provider names in the online casino game industry are now available in India, with the likes of NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming. In addition, most of those casinos also offer their services in Hindi, thanks to which players who would like to enjoy the best online casino in India can do so without any cultural or legislative obstacles.
Esports and iGaming
One of the biggest eSports markets in Asia can be found in India and the crossover between iGaming and eSports is massive. If we take a closer look at the revenue of the eSports industry in 2021, it was worth around 2.5 billion Indian rupees. This figure is expected to increase massively in the next few years, with many insiders predicting the eSports industry to be worth over 11 billion Indian rupees by the end of 2025.
The iGaming and eSports industries have recently converged in India and this has led to more people gambling on the outcome of eSports events. Some of the world’s top eSports teams come from India, including Global Esports, Team Vitality, and Total Gaming Esports. Fans want to bet on their favourite eSports teams to win.
What Can iGamers Look Up For In The Future?
iGamers have a vibrant future ahead, filled with innovations that will enhance their gaming experiences manifold. At the forefront, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are poised to revolutionize the iGaming arena, offering players hyper-realistic environments where they can immerse themselves in casino worlds or sports betting arenas as if they were physically present.
Alongside, the integration of blockchain and cryptocurrency promises not just secure transactions but also transparent and provably fair gameplay, ensuring a trust level hitherto unseen in the sector.
Regulatory Changes
Perhaps the biggest factor in the recent rise of the iGaming industry in India has been the regulatory changes. As highlighted earlier, Indian players were often being forced to use illegal websites to enjoy iGaming but times have changed.
The legalisation of iGaming in India means millions of people who did not have access to iGaming websites can now relax and enjoy online gambling. This has allowed iGaming operators to expand their services to India and led to an increase in the number of people enjoying iGaming in the country.
Conclusion
The meteoric rise of the iGaming industry in India is a confluence of technological accessibility, high-quality gaming platforms, the burgeoning eSports scene, and forward-looking regulatory reforms. As smartphone usage continues to surge, coupled with the localization efforts by major iGaming platforms, the sector is poised for further exponential growth.
The convergence of online casinos in India with popular sectors like eSports, and the promise of immersive technologies like VR and AR, ensure a bright future for the industry. Regulatory embracement has further solidified India’s position on the global iGaming map, promising a landscape rich in opportunities and innovations for enthusiasts and stakeholders alike.
Disclaimer: Gambling/gaming involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk. This post contains material that may or may not be legal in your country. Please play subject to applicable law.