India’s online gambling and casino industry is on the rise. Despite some states moving to bring the industry under control, the sheer volume on Indian players makes it a lucrative industry for both foreign and local operators.
Some of the key contributors to the success of the Indian gambling industry include the large population size (with hundreds of millions eligible to gamble), increased smartphone usage (many prefer to gamble via smartphone), investments from big-name, reputable brands, and increased internet accessibility.
So what should Indian game developers do to stay ahead of the trends and get onboard with the growth of this new sector?
One of the most popular types of online gambling in India is live casinos. These games are played online or via mobile but include a real, live croupier or dealer. This individual interacts with players around the table while they play via online chat mechanisms. As well as conversation and the feeling of being in a real casino, users can also ask questions and even tip the live dealer.
As more and more people take up online gambling, particularly those in the 21-30 age bracket, the demand for live dealers increases. This is due to them wanting a different kind of interaction including high levels of technology and the ability to talk to someone while they play.
Indian game developers should ideally look towards gaining skills in programming live casino games, especially for mobile, if they want to be in demand. As the industry grows and more opportunities for talented developers both locally and remotely increase, now is the time for local developers to expand their skill set to meet the requirements of the market. Local studios should also look to train and develop the talents of their team to include online casinos, mobile gambling, and of course, live casino dealer games.
The video game market in India is emerging but it’s one that is predicted to continue increasing year on year. Right now, it’s one of the top five mobile gaming markets globally when it comes to users and the market is worth around $870 million as of 2019. India has around 690 million internet users, meaning it is attracting significant interest from the gaming world. The market is most definitely underdeveloped but more and more gaming companies are looking to the country as a great market for games, as well as for those who create them.
Today there are around 275 game development companies in India, an increase of 250 from the 25 there were in 2010. While they are yet to make a significant impact on the global market, more and more are sprouting up and beginning to make a name for themselves. Many of these studios currently outsource their staff to foreign companies but with the online gambling market growing, we could see an increase in the demand for local developers.
If the rise in demand for casino games indeed brings game developers home, they are their studios can enjoy a greater level of financial security and job surety in the medium to long term. Such roles are paid well and with demand set to continue going up, those specializing in live casino game development can enjoy a bright future.
