India levels up: How the ban on Real-Money Gaming unlocked a $7.7B opportunity

What seemed like a blow to India’s gaming industry has turned into its biggest power-up yet. The ban on Real-Money Gaming (RMG) has pushed developers, investors, and players to pivot toward sustainable, skill-based, and creative gaming models, setting off an unexpected boom. With the sector projected to triple in size to $7.7 B by FY2030, India is fast emerging as a global gaming powerhouse fueled by its young, mobile-first population, regional storytelling, and an evolving culture of digital play.

A report by BITKRAFT Ventures, forecasted high growth in India’s gaming and interactive media sector, despite the ban on real money gaming. The segment, already a key engine in India’s digital media and entertainment space, is projected to triple in size, reaching $7.7 B by FY2030, growing approximately 1.5 times faster than the overall digital media and entertainment market, fueled by India’s massive, young ...