Online gaming is now witnessing strong growth and risky bets
The Indian online gaming industry is throttling ahead in full gusto and will be growing at a steady pace of 20% to become a $1billion industry by 2021 from the $360 million it makes now. Indian rummy portals are also reaping rich benefits for their investors, thanks to their immense popularity and subsequent profitability. Here's all you need to know.
Online Gaming in India: 2021
The collated report was based on responses from over 3,000 participants, who owned a smart device with Internet capabilities and were within the age group of 16-45 years. The report estimates that the online gaming community will grow 310 million strong from the current 120 million and that 75% of present gamers use smartphones under Rs. 20,000 to fulfill their online gaming needs.
The three pillars are strategy, puzzle and action
The report suggests, indigenous games, better affordable smartphones in the market and the successes of digital payments are the factors which are at play currently and will further fuel this growth. Gamers are spending almost 1/3rd of their online entertainment wallets on games and around 60% of the current revenue is derived from apps based on strategy, puzzle and action genres said the report.
Betting or gaming, your pick
Online rummy portals are also doing brisk business; reports suggest, they are currently almost 20,000 to two lakh players strong and garner an average of one lakh app installs every week. The idea of making a quick buck is promising and what adds to the allure is the fact that most of these are multiplayer-based games which give a comfortable quasi-reality vibe to players.
Isn't online gambling illegal?
Although, online gambling is illegal in India but there is an exemption for games that involve skills and the Supreme Court has given rummy a free chit on this account. Rajinder Balaraman, VP, Matrix Partners India, was quoted saying, "The industry is poised for growth. It is still in very early stages but it is growing at 50-100% year on year."
An industry running on big data and engagement
Bhavin Pandya, co-founder, Play Games, said to The News Minute, "We gather massive amounts of data on player behavior…to understand our player's needs and wants, and it enables us to build experiences that our players just fall in love with." Bobby Garg, founder, Rummy Passion, said, "We go all out to enhance player experience and engagement. We also have the fastest NEFT withdrawals."
Making a risky bet for great returns
All these efforts are attracting huge investor buzz; as Clairvest Group acquired online rummy portal Ace2Three from Matrix Partners India for a whopping Rs. 474 crore. Online rummy and poker portal Adda52 gave 22 times return to its investors when it was acquired for Rs. 155 crore by Delta. Rummy gets a free pass, poker is a gray area, but business is booming.
