India’s Gaming Market Surpasses $1B, Thrives on In-App Growth
By ThePip Desk
India’s gaming industry booms, crossing $1B revenue despite bans. Strategic pivot to in-app purchases and subscriptions drives massive growth, projected to hit $1.77B by 2030.
🔥 Main Takeaway
India’s gaming market is booming, hitting over $1 billion despite a real-money gaming ban, by smartly pivoting to in-app purchases and subscriptions.
📌 What Happened?
India’s gaming market crossed $1 billion in revenue last year, with projections to reach nearly $1.2 billion by the end of this year and an impressive $1.77 billion by 2030, according to Niko Partners.
This growth follows a real-money gaming (RMG) ban implemented on May 1st of the current year.
The industry strategically diversified its revenue streams, focusing on in-app purchases, premium passes, cosmetic spending, subscriptions, and advertising-led monetization.
India is recognized as the fastest-growing gaming market across the Asia and MENA regions, with its player base expected to expand from approximately 511 million in 2025 to nearly 707 million by 2030.
E-sports is also thriving, with 60% of Indian gamers already engaged, either by playing competitive titles, watching tournaments, or participating in competitions.
💰 Why It Matters
This signals a crucial shift from pure user acquisition to high-quality monetization, which is essential for the long-term health and sustainability of the industry.
For investors, this highlights the resilience and adaptability of Indian tech companies, demonstrating their ability to find significant growth avenues even amidst regulatory challenges.
Consumers are actively embracing diverse gaming experiences and showing a clear willingness to spend on in-app purchases, subscriptions, and cosmetic items.
The strong growth in non-RMG segments points to a robust and sustainable market ripe for further innovation and investment.
👀 What to Watch Next
Keep an eye on mobile in-app purchases and ad-supported casual games, as these are expected to be primary drivers of future revenue growth.
Monitor the increasing number of high and super-high spenders, particularly from wealthier segments, indicating a premiumization trend within the Indian gaming market.
Watch for new monetization models emerging in e-sports and creator-led commerce, which are expanding beyond traditional game sales and sponsorships.