From play to powerhouse: How India’s gaming economy is scaling at record speed

India’s gaming story is no longer about casual downloads, it’s about scale, sophistication, and global ambition. Indian gaming and interactive media are growing at nearly 1.5x the pace of the broader digital entertainment industry, fueled by mobile-first consumption, rising monetization, and a wave of startup-led innovation. As real-money gaming fades, digital-first titles, esports, and global exports are redefining where value is being created.

Read more: India’s gaming & esports industry in 2026: The biggest opportunity & the biggest challenge

According to the BITKRAFT–Redseer India Report 2025 India’s digital media and entertainment industry, valued at $9.3 billion in FY25, has gaming and interactive media contributing a solid $2.4 billion, roughly a quarter of the total pie. By FY2030, this segment is projected to triple to $7.8 billion, growing at a 26% CAGR, nearly 1.5 times faster than the broader digital entertainment ...