India's gaming market set to reach Rs 66,000 Crore by 2028, driven by youth demographics and mobile data affordability
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India's gaming industry is rapidly expanding and the country is positioning itself as a key player in the global gaming market. By 2028 the APAC region is expected to generate $181.8 billion in gaming revenue representing over half of the global market share. Within this region India's online gaming market is projected to reach Rs 66,000 crore growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%. Several factors are driving this growth including India's young population—almost 600 million people under the age of 35—and the country’s affordable mobile data rates. With over 650 million smartphone users India has fostered a robust digital entertainment culture particularly in gaming. This growth is most noticeable in two sectors: real-money gaming (RMG) which has gained traction through skill-based games and social and casual gaming which continues to reach a wider audience among young adults and professionals. As part of its efforts to tap into this growing market realme has partnered with KRAFTON India to become the official smartphone partner for the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2025 and the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2025. This collaboration marks 2025 as realme's dedicated gaming year emphasizing esports as a central focus for the brand. The partnership will debut with the BGIS 2025 LAN Finals in Kolkata, which will feature a prize pool of Rs 2 crore, reflecting the scale of investment in competitive gaming.
Realme has built an internal team dedicated to gaming, combining expertise from research and development, marketing, and product departments. The team works closely with KRAFTON India on joint research and exclusive debugging initiatives, reinforcing realme’s commitment to enhancing the esports ecosystem. Devices like the realme GT 7 Pro, known for its strong gaming performance, will serve as the official smartphone for BGIS 2025. This collaboration is part of realme's broader vision to revolutionize mobile gaming in India. By investing in esports infrastructure, grassroots initiatives, and technological innovation, realme aims to provide premium gaming experiences and support the next generation of esports athletes. The partnership also extends beyond tournaments, focusing on content creators and building interactive platforms for the gaming community. With realme's technological capabilities and KRAFTON's gaming expertise, this collaboration represents a significant step in India’s gaming evolution. As India continues to grow as a global gaming hub, partnerships like this will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobile gaming and esports in the country.
