India is rapidly becoming one of the most attractive online gaming markets in the world. With more With 600 million smartphone users, a growing middle class and the penetration of digital payments, the country has created ideal conditions for a boom in online gambling. According to various estimates that by 2029 the volume of Indian online gaming will exceed 9 billion dollars, and by 2034 it may reach 60 billion. However, the rapid growth of the industry is accompanied by both technological breakthroughs and regulatory challenges. Against this background, companies specializing in high-tech gaming solutions, such as Parimatch closely follows the evolution of the Indian market.
At the same time, the growth of interest in the Indian market goes hand in hand with close attention to issues of transparency, user protection and responsible gaming. That is why, as the Parimatch company , which has significant international experience in the field of gaming , emphasizes, India is not only a great potential, but also a challenge that requires a balanced approach to technologies, regulatory interaction and ethical business conduct.
Digital breakthrough in the billion-dollar market
India is already one of the world’s largest bases of online gamers: more than 590 million users, of which at least 140 million are regular participate in online gambling. High demand, developed mobile infrastructure and rising incomes of the population have created an explosive cocktail that drives the market forward.
According to the company’s analysts Parimatch , which has not yet decided to enter this market, India today is a bridgehead for scaling the latest gaming technologies. There is a rare combination of demand, digital openness and interest in smart gaming products. Such a market always arouses the interest of innovative players, even despite the regulatory uncertainty.
Parimatch experts note a qualitative transformation of user behavior. If a few years ago the main motivation was entertainment, today more and more users expect high technology, flexible mechanics and a personalized experience. “The Indian player quickly adapts to innovations. This stimulates developers and service providers to raise the bar: in design, reliability, functionality,” the company adds.
Sports betting and fantasy : the core of growth
Sports betting is one of the main drivers of the market. Cricket especially dominates: not only as a national passion, but also as the main point of monetization. During such events as the Indian Premier League, the number of active users of betting platforms increases by almost three times – up to 370 million.
of fantasy games is actively developing , where users form virtual teams from real players. This format is legally classified as a “game of skill” and enjoys high support among young people. As noted in Parimatch , “in fantasy gaming, it is especially important to create an experience that combines analytics, excitement and social mechanics. This is where artificial intelligence, which we actively integrate into our own products in other countries, will come in handy – to increase engagement and personalization.”
According to the company’s analysts, the future of these segments is focused on the creation of multi-format platforms that will combine fantasy , real-time bets and e-sports elements . “The integration of several game formats on one platform is the next step. This not only expands the circle of attracted users, but also creates new scenarios for monetization, in which technologies play a key role,” commented Parimatch .
Technologies at the service of attraction
Online gaming in India has long ceased to be just a pastime. This is a technology industry that actively implements AI, big data and mobile-first solutions. According to estimates, already today more than 85% of the income of the online game market falls on the real segment money gaming (RMG), where UX, speed of transaction processing and data protection are crucial.
“We see that players expect more than just an interface and odds. They want instant bidding, responsive offers, content that speaks their language. And if technology allows you to create this individualized experience, this is a new competitive advantage,” emphasizes Parimatch , which has been studying the Indian market for a long time to expand its global presence, but has not yet ventured into it .
The company also notes that the future belongs to platforms that can scale not only functionally, but also ethically. “Artificial intelligence opens up new horizons. This applies not only to behavioral analytics, but also to building a responsible gaming environment,” Parimatch analysts note .
Ahead of the unification of industry and law?
Recently, the possibility of introducing a single federal law on gambling has been increasingly discussed in India. This could reduce the fragmentation of the market, facilitate the entry of legal operators and reduce the influence of illegal players.
Such changes are positively perceived in the industry. As noted in Parimatch : “Clear, transparent rules are always good for the market. They allow you to invest in development, not in adaptation. This means that the user will get the best quality, and the state will get the best control.”
The company also notes that the formation of a centralized regulatory base can become a catalyst for a technological breakthrough. “When the rules of the game are clear and the same for everyone, it opens the way to partnerships, innovation and strategic planning. India has every chance to become a new global center of gaming . True, under the condition that the state and the industry will speak the same language”, Parimatch sums up .
At the same time, the key challenge, according to company representatives, will be not only the formalization of the rules, but also the introduction of an effective mechanism for their implementation. “Regulation is not just a law on paper. First of all, these are institutions, transparency of processes and trust in the system. India has a unique opportunity to create a modern regulation model that will become a benchmark for all of Asia,” Parimatch believes .
Despite its strategic interest in India, Parimatch refrains from entering this market due to the difficult business environment. Among the key factors is the policy of import substitution , under which non-residents face higher taxes, as well as widespread cases of brand counterfeiting and the activities of illegal operators. The company believes that such conditions do not contribute to sustainable growth and threaten the reputation of legal international participants.
The online gaming market in India is at a crossroads. On the one hand – insane growth, technological innovations and gigantic consumer potential. On the other hand, there are serious regulatory risks, legal uncertainty and abuse by unscrupulous players.
However, one thing is clear already: India is the future center of gaming evolution, where innovation, capital and culture form a new formula for global leadership. And those companies that are already preparing to enter today, with the right technologies, ethics and vision, will be able to change the rules of the game tomorrow.
According to experts Parimatch , the further development of the industry will directly depend on the stable rules of the game, simplification of exit for legal operators and technical standardization of the market.
