Indian Gaming in 2024: A Year of Growth and Opportunity

The Indian gaming in 2024 is on a meteoric rise, poised to become a global powerhouse. Fueled by a burgeoning player base, innovative developers, and increasing investments, the sector is experiencing explosive growth. With an estimated market size of INR 33,243 crore by FY28, projecting a 15% CAGR, India is rapidly transforming into the world’s fastest-growing gaming hub. This surge is driven by a confluence of factors, including rising smartphone penetration, affordable data plans, and a growing appetite for interactive entertainment among the youth.

Indian Gaming in 2024: Government Support

Recent initiatives, such as the MoU between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and WinZO, demonstrate a concerted effort to position India as a global leader in interactive entertainment. This collaboration aligns with Prime Minister’s vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) in the gaming and technology sectors. As the industry matures, it is expected to contribute significantly to the Indian economy, creating numerous job opportunities and fostering innovation.

Mr. Parth Chadha, Co- Founder & CEO at STAN, “2024 has been an instrumental year for the online gaming industry in India as it marked the official recognition of esports as a sport. With over 500 million gamers, mobile gaming and revenue projected to surpass $1.5 billion in 2024, gaming is no longer just a hobby but a viable career for many. The Indian government also introduced the Online Gaming (Regulation) Bill in 2024 aimed at promoting transparency and ensuring safe gaming environments. India’s International achievements in gaming our respected Prime Minister’s meeting with the gamers were some of the highlights and exceptional moments that the gaming industry witnessed.

At STAN too, the year 2024 marked a major milestone where STAN app community features fosters community engagement and early monetisation features at STAN help creators to thrive therby not only contributing towards creator economy as well. STANfest 2024 emerged as India’s largest creator fest in India that was not witnessed before and this fest marked a historic EVENNT in India. It brought together over 30,000 gamers and 200+ leading creators, including names like Ashish Chanchlani, Fukra Insaan, and UK07 Rider, among others. It was a vibrant celebration that not only captivated the hearts of those who joined but also showcased the strength of the dynamic gaming community that India boasts.”

Indian Gaming in 2024: Global Impact

India is emerging as a key player in the global gaming landscape, with its dynamic ecosystem attracting significant international attention. Indian gaming companies are increasingly making their mark on the world stage, developing innovative games and expanding their reach across global markets. The industry’s rapid growth is not only fueling domestic success but also contributing to the global gaming industry, which is projected to surpass $200 billion by 2025. This burgeoning sector promises to be a major driver of economic growth and cultural influence for India in the years to come.

Mr. Rajan Navani (Chairman & MD, JetSynthesys), “The Indian video gaming and esports industry is entering a transformative phase, poised to become a global powerhouse by 2025. With one of the largest and youngest gaming communities in the world, India is leveraging its demographic advantage and growing digital infrastructure to shape the future of gaming and esports. At JetSynthesys, we are proud to drive this revolution by blending innovation, technology, and cultural relevance. Our focus on creating high-quality, globally competitive games—like Real Cricket 24 and Sachin Saga in simulated cricket and pioneering platforms such as the Global e-Cricket Premier League showcases India’s ability to lead on the world stage. These initiatives not only spotlight India’s gaming potential but also celebrate the rich heritage and passion for cricket and esports among Indian audiences. We also continue to strengthen our global video gaming business and its linkage to India.“

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Mr. Ashish Srivastava, Co-Founder and COO, Glazer Games. “Esports and gaming exploded with growth like never before In 2024. With over 442 million gamers in India and a projected 20% increase by FY25, the future is brighter than ever. Younger players are now making up 80% of the global esports audience and are driving innovation and transforming the landscape. I’ve witnessed this shift firsthand as we are building strong communities, empowering talent, and redefining what’s possible. 2024 has been a year of incredible momentum and we’re more excited than ever to see where 2025 takes us!“

Mr. Shantanu Basu, Co-Founder and CTO, Lets Game Now, “The year 2024 has truly been revolutionary for esports and gaming as a culture and a profession. Tournament viewership has shattered the previous record numbers and the communities are stronger and more unifying than ever with technology continuously driving new game experiences. It proves that the power of games goes beyond geographical lines, age brackets, or people’s backgrounds. Looking ahead to 2025, the potential is even greater. The Olympic Esports Games will bring unprecedented global recognition, while titles like ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ and AR/VR gaming breakthroughs promise to blur the lines between reality and imagination. In India alone, 462 million people watch YouTube, and 200 million watch gaming videos, making gaming the second-most-watched content after cricket. With 50% of India’s population under 25, gaming is poised to be the defining cultural and economic force in the years to come. More importantly, gaming will continue to evolve as a space of inclusion, creativity, and connection. This is carving a new way of experiencing the world and we’re just getting started.”

All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), Spokesperson said, “The gaming sector in 2024 has experienced significant growth, driven by continued technological advancements, increased internet penetration, and a surge in mobile gaming. Online gaming emerged as the fourth-largest category, with over 500 million gamers, 90-100 million of whom engage daily. Despite its strong performance, the gaming industry faced key challenges in 2024, particularly due to regulatory uncertainties and the recent GST rate increase. These issues created hurdles for stakeholders and contributed to a decline in investment during the year.

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