---

Gaming in India – The Rise of a New Billion-Dollar Economic Powerhouse

India is on the brink of witnessing a gaming revolution that is shaping gaming in India and the global industry. With 590 million gamers and industry projections estimating the market to reach ₹66,000 Crore at a growth rate of 14.5%, as compared to the global growth of 8% (CAGR), India is now poised to become a billion-dollar gaming powerhouse, outpacing growth globally.

A large contributor to this sea change is mobile gaming. India has now become the second-largest mobile gaming market by downloads, with figures 3.5 times higher than the US or Brazil. As per a recent Lumikai report, 23 million new gamers from the country joined in FY24, with weekly playtime shooting up by a notable 30%. Backed by $2.8 Billion in investments and significant job creation potential, gaming is becoming a key pillar of India’s digital economy.

Nitish Mittersain, CEO and Joint MD at Nazara Technologies, says that the evolution goes beyond mere numbers. He underscores, “In a world where gaming is becoming a cultural and economic force, India is no longer just a consumer market but also becoming a maker. With scale, talent, and strategic capital, Indian companies are rewriting the rules, growing from local leaders to global powerhouses.”

The country’s mobile-first ecosystem, enormous internet penetration, and tech-savvy youth have made it a fertile ground for gaming. However, how games are made, distributed, and funded is also changing.

According to Anuj Tandon, Partner India & UAE at BITKRAFT Ventures, “The Indian gaming industry is experiencing a significant resurgence. A large talent pool and innovative narrative developers are fostering ecosystem expansion, leading to the creation of globally marketable games. Recognising the emerging prominence of the Indian market, BITKRAFT is looking to make strategic investments to support its development as a vital contributor to the international gaming & entertainment sector.”

With the gaming sector in India empowering the larger community, content, and creators across the country, games are increasingly interactive among larger audiences, and platforms are working to intrigue new-age streamers and influencers from tier 2 & 3 cities in India.

Speaking about the shift in the Indian gaming market, Piyush, Founder & CEO of Rooter, said, “India has witnessed a significant surge in in-app purchases by gamers over the past three years, driving industry revenue growth at a 40% CAGR. Once a challenging market to monetise, improved micro-transaction behaviour and effective pricing strategies are now encouraging gamers to spend more for enhanced experiences. Content creators are leveraging streaming platforms like Rooter to collaborate with publishers and raise awareness about games and their assets. Over the last two years, Rooter has unlocked multiple monetisation channels, engaging with over 100 brands, numerous gaming publishers, global platforms, and gift card partners to create scalable revenue opportunities.”

The rise in engagement is paving the way for real business opportunities. casual games, particularly, have opened new doors for monetisation via in-app purchases, ads, partnerships, and sponsorships, especially when game access is embedded seamlessly into daily routine platforms.

---

ALSO READ: Nazara Technologies Expands Gaming Business Overseas

---

Yashash Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Gamezop, explains, “The world is waking up to where the real action in gaming lies, and that’s India. A projected revenue CAGR of 14.5%—nearly double the global average—is a clear sign that India is not just part of the global gaming story; we’re writing the next chapter.

Web gaming, in particular, is seeing explosive traction, and India is leading the charge. We’re witnessing a new wave of native users turn to web games for their accessibility, speed, and immersive play – no downloads, no wait time, just instant fun. What’s equally exciting is that India is not just consuming web games at scale; it’s also emerging as a powerhouse for web game development.

From an infrastructure perspective, we find ourselves in a better position than ever before. Devices are becoming smarter and faster, and with 5G technology, smartphones today have more capabilities than ever. As a result, people are spending more time online, leading to a surge of apps and websites across categories. At Gamezop, we’ve seen how seamlessly web games can plug into the everyday digital lives of Indian users across news, entertainment, utility, and fintech platforms. With the right regulatory and infrastructure support, India could very well define the future of web gaming.”

Meanwhile, on the development front, the industry is seeing a shift toward homegrown innovation. Indian studios have evolved from providing services like localising global titles to creating original games that are performing well on the global stage.

Anurag Choudhary, Founder and CEO of Felicity Games, puts it plainly: “India is not just becoming a billion-player market; it’s emerging as a powerhouse for innovation in mobile gaming. With a young, connected population and a rapidly evolving developer ecosystem, we’re seeing global-quality titles being built and scaled from here. At Felicity Games, we’re proud to be part of this movement by publishing Indian games for global audiences, backed by strong unit economics and technology-led operations.”

With supportive regulation, sustained investment, and a stark rise in talent, India’s gaming sector is estimated to reach around INR ~500,000 Crores in value by 2034. India, with its growth, innovation, and large user base, is set to emerge as a billion-dollar global giant, surpassing the global growth and setting new benchmarks.

Gutshot Magazine offers all the latest news and updates about the real-money gaming and poker industry. From poker tournament itineraries to winners lists to interviews with some of the industry’s biggest names, we have it all. We also have updates on any federal and corporate decisions that might impact the real-money gaming industry. 

---

---

More News

---

Comments