---

The Rise Of Online Poker In India: What’s Changing?

Poker is one of the most played card games in land-based casinos. Its popularity is also manifested in various movies with poker scenes like The Cincinnati Kid, Casino Royale, and Cool Hand Luke. However, times have changed and casino games have been adopted online.

India is among the Asian countries that fully adopted online gaming due to its large and tech-woke population. Even though Indians play many games, poker remains a favorite of many. This article will explore the rise of online poker in India and the factors that have contributed to its popularity.

Indian Poker in Numbers

According to Custom Market Insight Market Research Team, the Indian Poker market is expected to record a CAGR of 16.9% from 2023 to 2030. The same report projected a market size of US$115.1 billion by the end of 2023 and anticipates it reaching US$346 billion by 2030.

Online poker is a virtual representation of the old poker game. You can play it via a web browser or downloadable apps. It is available for entertainment as well as a real-money game. This game has gained popularity due to its convenience and the opportunity it offers people to make real money.

These are some of the reasons for its growth:

Increased Internet Penetration and Smartphone Use

Over 700 million smartphone users were estimated to be in India in 2023. The numbers are still rising as cheap smartphones specifically designed for the enterprising Indian population hit the market. Telcos are also offering cheap data plans, and gaming companies are allowing users to access their apps even without an internet connection.

Online poker platforms are riding the wave, and we can see them designing mobile-friendly user interfaces and smartphone-compatible games. Casino apps are also rising in the Apple Appstore and Google Play Store.

The growth of the 5G network is also contributing to the growth of online poker, with companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel leading the pack. The high speeds associated with the 5G network mean that online gamers can experience cloud gaming with minimal buffering.

Rise Of Localized Platforms

The desire to master a foreign language or copy foreign cultures was common among Indians when the internet was introduced decades ago. However, this has changed, and Indians are appreciating their culture more. Game developers and platforms have realized this and are now creating platforms that suit the Indian market.

Gaming platforms like https://casinodays-india.in/app/ allow users to deposit and withdraw using Indian-friendly payment processors. Users no longer have to make manual currency conversions when depositing or withdrawing as amounts are displayed in Lakh on localized platforms. The games on such platforms are also localized to suit the local market.

---

ALSO READ: Is Poker 100% Luck?

---

Shift In Perception

In the past, poker was mostly associated with gambling. However, gaming platforms are now promoting it as a game of skill. We can see influencers and media campaigns that front poker as a game that needs strategic decision-making and the ability to play with numbers. Games of skill have become popular, and we can even see schools adopting gamified learning.

Rise of Online Tournaments

The popularity of poker has caused it to attract some of the biggest tournaments that tabletop games can have. India has poker tournaments all year round, and they come in different forms, such as Multi-Table Tournaments, Freeroll Tournaments, Turbo tournaments, and sit-and-go tournaments.

These events are highly publicized and sometimes attract international players. The prizes to be won vary from one tournament to another and depend on the tournament size and the sponsors available. Indian players also participate in online poker tournaments organized by international organizations.

Legal Clarity in some regions

Online gambling has remained a grey area in most countries. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is the main law governing gambling in India. Online poker is legal in most states except Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. However, there have been ongoing regional and national debates trying to define online gambling.

With the innovation in the tech space, we can only expect the penetration of online poker to increase in the Indian market. Regulators are striving to create a conducive environment for online gaming, and transformative regulations will likely emerge.

---

---

More News

---

Comments