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Real Money Gaming Key Revenue Driver In India’s Gaming Industry : Report

Inc42 · 1y ago

Real Money Gaming Key Revenue Driver In India’s Gaming Industry : Report

In FY22, real money gaming (RMG) accounted for 83-84% of the total revenue in the Indian gaming industry. Despite regulatory hurdles, the RMG sector attracts around 100 million online gamers daily, with 90 million of them paying to play. On average, users spend 8.5 hours per week on gaming. Additionally, the GST Council's decision to charge a 28% tax on entry fees has resulted in increased tax expenses for gaming startups.

Related News

Indian digital gaming industry to more than double to $7.5 billion by FY28: Lumikai

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Indian digital gaming industry to more than double to $7.5 billion by FY28: Lumikai

The Indian digital gaming industry is expected to reach $7.5 billion by fiscal year 2028, more than doubling from its $3.1 billion revenue in fiscal year 2023. Lumikai, a gaming venture capital firm, attributed this growth to in-app purchases, ad revenues, and an expanding user base. The report noted that the real money gaming segment could face challenges due to taxation policies and industry consolidation. India had 568 million gamers in fiscal year 2023, with 25% being paying users. Non-metro cities showed significant engagement in the gaming industry.

Online gaming continues to grow, but GST change to “moderate” monetisation: report

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Online gaming continues to grow, but GST change to “moderate” monetisation: report

A report by Winzo and IEIC suggests that the recent increase in goods and services tax (GST) in India will "moderate" monetization per user in the gaming industry. Pay-to-play games have historically been the largest revenue source in the Indian gaming sector, but high tax burdens are expected to impact user monetization. The report predicts that the gaming industry will continue to grow in terms of user base, but this growth will not translate into equivalent monetization due to recent tax policies. The report also highlights the rise of non-real money gaming (RMG) games, with battle royale games gaining popularity in the country. The Indian gaming ecosystem is projected to reach a revenue of $6 billion by 2028, with non-RMG games occupying a larger share of the market.

How Nazara Managed To Score A Point While Other Gaming Companies Cry Foul

OutlookIndia

OutlookIndia · 1y ago

How Nazara Managed To Score A Point While Other Gaming Companies Cry Foul

Nazara Technologies, a gaming start-up, has successfully raised INR 510 crore in recent funding despite the government's decision to impose a 28% GST on real-money gaming. The company's conservative approach, diversification strategy, and minimal exposure to real-money gaming have given investors confidence that Nazara can weather the sector's challenges. With revenue streams from various sources, such as subscriptions, platform fees, and advertising, Nazara plans to consolidate operations and continue its growth in the gaming industry. The company is also considering acquiring profitable game studios to expand its library.

WinZO enters US market days after India bans real-money gaming; Founder says, 'Our vision has always...'

IndianStartupNews

IndianStartupNews · 4d ago

WinZO enters US market days after India bans real-money gaming; Founder says, 'Our vision has always...'

WinZO, an Indian digital entertainment platform, has expanded into the U.S. market as part of its global growth strategy, following India’s recent ban on real-money gaming. This expansion aims to showcase Indian gaming technology and talent, positioning WinZO in major markets including India, Brazil, and the U.S. Despite India only contributing 1% to the global gaming industry, WinZO holds over 100 technology patents and continues to support cross-border cultural and talent exchanges.

Gaming bodies write to Amit Shah; urge to block blanket ban, warn of Rs 20,000 crore tax loss - The Economic Times

Economic Times

Economic Times · 10d ago

Gaming bodies write to Amit Shah; urge to block blanket ban, warn of Rs 20,000 crore tax loss - The Economic Times

India’s gaming bodies, including AIGF and EGF, urged Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider the 2025 Online Gaming Bill, which proposes banning real-money skill games. They warn this could cripple a Rs 2 lakh crore industry, cause a Rs 20,000 crore tax loss, deter FDI, and lead to job losses. They advocate for smart regulation instead of prohibition to support the industry's growth and consumer protection.

India's online gaming sector may cross $9 billion by 2029: Report

Economic Times

Economic Times · 5m ago

India's online gaming sector may cross $9 billion by 2029: Report

India's online gaming sector is projected to grow from $3.7 billion in 2024 to $9.1 billion by 2029, primarily driven by real money games, which dominate the market. With 591 million gamers and numerous gaming companies, India is poised to become a global gaming powerhouse. The sector has attracted significant foreign investment, with real money gaming accounting for a major share. The burgeoning industry is expected to unlock substantial investor value and create numerous jobs.

Zupee halts paid games after blanket ban on real-money gaming, shifts focus to free-to-play strategy

YourStory

YourStory · 8d ago

Zupee halts paid games after blanket ban on real-money gaming, shifts focus to free-to-play strategy

Zupee, a leading Indian online gaming startup, announced it will discontinue paid games following a new law banning real-money gaming platforms. The company will shift focus to free-to-play titles like Ludo Supreme and Snakes & Ladders. This decision comes as Parliament's 2025 Online Gaming Bill imposes a blanket ban on real-money gaming, affecting the once-booming industry. Companies like Dream Sports are expected to make similar moves, pivoting toward alternative gaming models.

Nazara’s ₹800 crore PokerBaazi bet at risk of being written off - The Economic Times

Economic Times

Economic Times · 8d ago

Nazara’s ₹800 crore PokerBaazi bet at risk of being written off - The Economic Times

Nazara Technologies faces a potential write-off of its ₹800 crore investment in PokerBaazi due to a proposed online gaming bill that might restrict real money gaming. Despite this, Nazara's financial performance remains unaffected as real money gaming contributes no current revenue. Mittersain emphasized the company's strong, diversified business model, highlighting that over 80% of revenues come from international markets. Nazara’s overall growth remains robust, with ongoing acquisitions in the gaming IP space.

Online Gaming GST Row: SC Stays ₹5,712-Crore Demand Against Paytm’s First Games

OutlookIndia

OutlookIndia · 3m ago

Online Gaming GST Row: SC Stays ₹5,712-Crore Demand Against Paytm’s First Games

The Supreme Court has stayed a ₹5,712-crore GST demand against Paytm's First Games, a real-money gaming platform. This dispute involves the classification and taxation of real-money gambling platforms under GST, impacting the broader online gaming industry. First Games challenged a retrospective GST notice, seeking relief on the GST rate applied to platform fees versus total bets. The issue highlights ongoing controversies about GST categorization and taxation in the Indian online gaming sector.

Indian gaming companies enter big league with rising monetisation, global acquisitions

Economic Times

Economic Times · 4m ago

Indian gaming companies enter big league with rising monetisation, global acquisitions

India's gaming industry is thriving, with rising monetisation and global interest in local gaming IPs and talent. Companies like Nazara Technologies are expanding through acquisitions, while investors like Krafton explore Indian gaming opportunities. Non-real money games are gaining traction, with revenue from midcore games increasing. AI is democratizing game development but may heighten monetisation challenges. Despite a recent dip in venture capital, the market holds promise similar to China’s 2008 gaming boom, with growing global recognition.

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