India's Gaming Market Set to Triple to $7.8 Billion by 2030

• India's gaming market is set to triple to $7.8B by FY30, driven by digital games and esports.
• A recent real-money gaming ban has refocused the industry on India's 520 million gamers.
• In-app purchases are poised to overtake ads as the main revenue source as player spending grows.

India's gaming and interactive media sector is poised for dramatic expansion, with revenues projected to more than triple to $7.8 billion by fiscal 2030 from $2.4 billion this year, according to an October report from BITKRAFT Ventures and Redseer Strategy Consultants.

The transformation marks gaming as the fastest-growing segment within India's $9.3 billion digital media and entertainment industry, expanding 1.5 times faster than the overall market. The shift has accelerated following the central government's August ban on online real-money gaming, which has forced a wholesale industry pivot toward digital games and esports.

How India's 520 Million Gamers Are Driving Mobile Gaming Growth to $4.3 Billion

Bitkraft's report indicates that the digital gaming and esports segment alone is expected to reach $4.3 billion by fiscal 2030, expanding at an 18% compound annual growth rate. The growth is underpinned by 825 million internet users and 520 million gamers, up from 400 million in fiscal 2021.

Mobile platforms dominate, accounting for 78% of the market in fiscal 2025 and serving as the preferred platform for 96% of gamers. The typical Indian gamer skews young and increasingly diverse: 51% are under 30, while women now represent 26% of the player base, up from previous years.

Social interaction drives engagement, with 40% to 50% of smartphone gamers citing socializing as a primary motivation. That explains the popularity of battle royale titles like BGMI and Free Fire, which lead the market.

Gaming Monetization Shift: In-App Purchases to Overtake Ads by 2030

The industry's business model is undergoing a fundamental shift. In fiscal 2025, advertising accounts for 56% of revenue versus 43% from in-app purchases. By 2030, those figures are expected to reverse dramatically, with in-app purchases projected to generate 66% of total revenue.

The transformation reflects a maturing user base willing to spend more. Average revenue per paying user has surged ninefold since 2020, climbing from $3.50 to $27 in 2024. The number of paying gamers has grown to 140 million in fiscal 2025 from 80 million four years earlier.

Mid-Core and Core Games Expected to Dominate 54% of Indian Gaming Market

Player preferences are evolving beyond casual gaming. Mid-core and core games (more complex titles requiring greater time and skill investment) are expected to capture 54% of the market by 2030, overtaking casual games that currently dominate.

The industry's domestic focus has sparked rapid growth in local development, with more than 500 Indian gaming companies founded over the past five years. Ludo King, a locally produced game that drew on cultural familiarity, has exceeded one billion downloads.

Looking ahead, emerging technologies including augmented and virtual reality gaming, along with artificial intelligence tools for both development and gameplay, are expected to reshape the sector.

India's Esports Market to Grow 6X to $132 Million with Government Recognition

India's esports sector is experiencing particularly rapid growth following government recognition as a legitimate sport. The market is projected to expand at a 27% compound annual rate, reaching $132 million in five years from $22 million in fiscal 2025.

Brand sponsorships currently fund 59% of esports revenue, reflecting growing corporate interest in reaching the sector's young audience, 75% of viewers are under 25. Nodwin Gaming leads the competitive landscape, followed by Upthrust and Skyesports.