Online gambling is rising worldwide, and the Indian market is catching up with it fast. Last year, according to estimates, the mobile gambling industry crossed the USD 70 billion mark, likely to grow until 2030. In India, the expansion of the 5G network, combined with increasing smartphone ownership, is creating a new and thriving market for online gambling companies.
Come with us and see why more Indians are joining the online gambling trend daily.
Adrenaline Thirst
The gambling laws in India can be confusing. Each state is allowed to create its laws on the matter. It means that gambling is forbidden in some states and allowed in others. In any case, land-based casinos are prohibited, except for a few casino boats. It leaves only online casinos as an option for those who want to play casino games.
Gambling laws in the country are still based on the outdated Public Gaming Act from 1867. Nevertheless, the domestic gambling market surpassed USD 1 billion last year. About 40% of the adult population has gambled on an online platform at least once. India could have more gamblers per capita within a few years than the UK.
Mobile gambling is the way forward for most Indian gamblers since mobile phone ownership is widespread in the country. The same goes for 4G coverage, which nowadays reaches almost the entire population.
Faster Games
Despite widespread 4G coverage, India has one of the slowest connections in the world, occupying an unflattering 115th position in the global ranking. However, this situation is expected to change with the 5G rollout, which should reach 75% of the population by next December. It will be much easier to join and enjoy online casino games shortly. Also, we can expect to see the expansion of high-quality platforms, such as the 10CRIC online casino.
A Friendlier Environment
Gambling laws in India are still somewhat archaic, relying on rules from colonial times. Lawmakers and popular pressure are beginning to change this situation, though. The High Court has flexibility with several restrictions and has expanded the list of permitted games since 1990. The rise of mobile phone ownership also challenges the effectiveness of these restrictions since it’s pretty difficult to stop people from gambling online.
India has become a hotbed for gaming studios and tech startups in general. Bangalore stands out as the country with the highest concentration of tech companies. According to a ranking organised by the Financial Times, 20 of the 500 most prominent companies in the Asia-Pacific region are based in Bangalore. The ranking includes several companies focused on IoT solutions, cloud gaming, and blockchain.
Some of these names are well-known to experienced online casino players, such as Scientific Games. Other big names in the same basket include Griptonite Games India and Unanimous Studios.
A Proud Tradition
According to recent archaeological findings, gambling has been part of Indian history since at least 3300 BC. It means that, on top of roulette, poker, or blackjack, Indian gamblers also have their traditional games. Thanks to gaming developers, these games now have a digital version and are becoming increasingly popular outside the country. Here are some of the most popular games among Indian gamblers.
Teen Patti
Teen Patti is a card game where players start with three cards, with rules similar to poker. Winning combinations include a flush, a three-of-a-kind, a straight, and a pair. Similarly to poker, it’s possible to call, bet, and raise on every round until the showdown. It’s an excellent game for those looking for some change from the good old Texas Hold’em.
Indian Rummy
Indian Rummy is a variation of the classic rummy game; in the Indian version, players receive 13 cards. This game requires two decks of cards; one of the sets must have the joker removed. A set or run without a joker is called pure, while sequences with jokers are considered “impure.” Up to six players can play it, and a player must have two sequences to win the game, one of which should be “pure.”
Andar Bahar
Andar Bahar is one of the oldest and most popular games in India. It’s said to come from the Harappa civilisation, around 3,500 BC. The game was originally played with pieces of cloth with special symbols; those symbols became the suits we know today. It’s a game of pure luck, where gamblers must guess where the joker will fall: if on the Andar or Bahar boxes.
The Game Is On!
Luckily for Indian gamblers, there’s no shortage of options regarding online casinos and online casino games. The country doesn’t only have a huge potential gambling market; it’s also attracting the companies that make those games possible. It means we can look at the online gambling market in India with a lot of optimism.
About the Author
Mirko Humbert
Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.