The technological revolution has changed the way we do almost everything, from organising our entertainment to conducting international financial transactions. One of the main ways in which the availability of the internet has changed our relationship with technology has been the swift evolution and proliferation of smartphones.
As well as making it easy to manage your admin and keep in touch with your friends, internet-enabled phones have completely changed the way people access entertainment. From being able to watch films and television programmes on demand, to playing your favourite games wherever you are, the rise in the number of smartphones has made it easier to maximise your downtime.
The increase in the number of people enjoying mobile gaming has increased significantly over recent years, and the phenomenon has been global. Reports suggest that more than three billion gamers are logging on worldwide and India is home to one of the largest populations of gamers globally.
Along with Thailand and the Philippines, India is home to one of the fastest-growing gaming communities. Experts are predicting that the Indian gaming market could quadruple in size over the coming years, with its value increasing from its current rate of $2.6 billion to $8.6 billion in 2027.
Gambling in India
As a nation with a long sporting history, India also has an established gaming industry. Sports fans can bet on popular favourites cricket and racing and there are casinos for those that like to take part in the action instead of just watching it.
Sports are a popular choice among gambling fans in India with the most popular including:
- Cricket
- Football
- Horse Racing
- Kabaddi
- Field Hockey
The laws also make provision for lotteries, although the number of formats permitted includes some other games of chance such as bingo. These are more widely allowed, alongside sports betting, even in the states that have the strictest regulations.
Another popular choice for Indian gamers is poker, and in areas in which this is prohibited by the state, many players choose to play online. There is some dispute over whether poker is classed as a game of chance or not, with legal challenges resulting in some states officially recognising the skill involved in playing.
As a mix of both skill and luck, poker has been specifically categorised as a game in which the element of skill is significant enough to distinguish it from games such as roulette and craps. Details such as this are important to clarify when it comes to the legal position concerning the regulation of gambling.
Because gambling is regulated at the state level in India, some areas have more thriving gambling scenes than others, with Goa, Daman, and Sikkim all legalising gambling activities such as casino gaming. Estimates suggest that as many as 80 per cent of the 1.3 billion people that live in India gamble at least once a year. Due to the increase in gamblers, there are now many established gambling providers operating online in India, offering their services to players.
With 700 million mobile phone users in India, it comes as no surprise, therefore, that an increasing number of online gamers are enjoying the opportunity to play casino games online in India. Even in states where gambling is not allowed, there are no restrictions on online gaming, meaning that players can log on for a wide choice of gaming options.
For casino gaming fans, this is good news as the only requirement for online gaming providers is that they offer prizes in Indian rupees. This means that gamers have a wide choice of providers in a marketplace that is growing every day.
The Future of Gaming in India
While the gambling laws in India are nowhere near the most restrictive, the laws governing gambling in India date back to 1867 when a colonial-era statute was adopted by a number of states, although some made state-specific amendments. This means that they are in no way fit to contend with the extensive changes that have been prompted by the introduction of the internet.
As a result, it has been difficult for individual states to keep up with the changes, and many territories have struggled to enact legislation that adequately covers internet gambling. The Indian government are in the process of formulating new gambling legislation that aims to modify the basics of the current legislation to make it fit for the present and future.
This means that investors are seeing increasing potential in the gaming market in India, with games studios and online casino providers enjoying the benefits of swift and significant growth. With a fast-increasing and hugely enthusiastic community of gamers playing new games every day, investing in the online gaming industry has become a popular choice.
With smartphone ownership increasing and access to the internet more widespread than ever, predictions suggest that online gaming is going to continue to grow. Games studios are adopting new technology, creating games that use cutting-edge innovations for fans that have exactingly high standards.
Games are more playable than ever before, with immersive technology, studio-quality sound and exceptionally detailed graphics. The use of artificial intelligence allows players to tailor games exactly to their tastes, while advances in virtual reality make it easier than ever to interact with a completely digital world, transforming the mobile gaming experience completely.
Players love the ease and convenience of being able to play mobile games from wherever they are, whenever they have the time. Combined with the exceptionally high quality of the games available online, it’s no surprise that so many people are trying mobile gambling every day.
