What is happening in India's gambling industry in 2025?
A recent Grand View Research study values the Indian gambling market at $5.01 billion and expects it to jump to $10.8 billion by 2030. In another study by DW, 140 million users have been found to participate in online gambling and betting regularly. During major events like the Indian Premier League cricket tournaments, the figures can go as high as 370 million. Based on these statistics, it is clear that what was once niche is pulling the attention of millions across different regions, and India has not been left out.
But again, gambling in 2025 is not like it was a few decades ago. It feels more engaging and player-focused, explaining why more people are drawn to it as a popular entertainment form. Take online baccarat, for instance. Playing this card game in 2000 might have been boring because online versions were quite simplistic and basic.
Step into 2025, and you have a whole new experience. Players can engage in more immersive environments because of improvements in graphics. Of course, these developments have not bypassed the Indian market. And if you want to learn more about the trends shaping this industry, you have come to the right place.
Mobile-friendly designs are dominating
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that most of India’s gambling population uses mobile phones. These devices are highly convenient, allowing players to engage from anywhere. You don’t need to access a physical destination to get started. With just a proper internet connection, you will be ready to immerse yourself in your favorite titles. Again, India has one of the most dynamic mobile phone industries in the world. Can you believe that, according to DataReportal, there are about 1.2 billion cellular mobile connections in the country?
Not tailoring your website for this increasing population already puts you out of the competition curve. But since no one wants that, casinos targeting India have been adopting responsive websites and applications. These designs often use flexible layouts that auto-adjust to fit multiple screen sizes, eliminating the need to pinch or zoom websites. So, whether players are gambling on desktop or mobile, they can always be sure to find seamless encounters.
According to BusinessDasher, such websites have over 10% more conversion rates than non-responsive ones. They can also turn 74% of mobile users into loyal customers. With these benefits and the rising customer acquisition and retention costs, seeing responsive online casinos dominate the Indian market makes a lot of sense.
Online security has become non-negotiable
Today, just a slight mistake could expose your brand to cyberattacks and cause severe financial and customer losses. Remember, Microsoft has noticed over 600 million daily attacks. In India alone, cyberattacks have surged by 46%, surpassing global trends. A good number of consumers, including gamblers, know about these trends and no longer want to risk their online safety.
In fact, if they consider a platform to be insecure, they may never transact with it. That’s why brands that implement robust security protocols are more competitive than those that don’t. Improving security boosts player confidence, which can lead to improved retention rates. Two-factor authentication, for instance, reduces the likelihood of experiencing harm from up to 99.9% of targeted attacks. SSL encryption also comes in handy by protecting online communications through a ‘handshake’ process to establish a secure, encrypted connection between a web server and a client.
Other casinos have gone the extra mile to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology. AI boasts an unusual computational ability that helps detect attacks in real time. By combining large amounts of data sets, it is able to identify malicious activities instantaneously. As casinos seek to dominate the industry, many could turn to such advanced technologies to improve their appeal to security-conscious players.
The popularity of offshore sites
Despite efforts to regulate the industry, offshore gambling is still a challenge. Just recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance reported that deposits on illegal sites exceed $100 billion, growing at a 30% rate yearly. These sites are usually based in countries with looser gambling regulations, often in places like Curacao and Malta.
One of their main allurements is generous bonuses. Where a licensed platform could give a 20% deposit bonus, these casinos can offer 100% or even more. Already, bonuses appeal to many gamblers. Therefore, casinos with more engaging perks will be more likely to attract and retain most players.
Onboarding also feels more seamless on offshore sites than in local casinos. Players don’t have to worry about cumbersome registration processes or providing a lot of personal details. MoldStud conducted a study along these lines and found that 77% of users favor social logins because they provide faster access to accounts. This already positions unregulated casinos ahead of their local counterparts, who often have lengthy login procedures.
Other features that give offshore sites an edge include:
- Bigger game variety
- Fewer restrictions on bet sizes and payment methods
- Operators may not report winnings to local tax authorities
- Fewer self-exclusion barriers
Agreeably, India’s online gambling industry has been evolving to align with global trends. This is why players can gamble seamlessly even on devices with smaller screen sizes without worrying about troublesome website experiences. There has also been a growing emphasis on online security, with operators taking advantage of features like 2FA to improve their appeal to security-aware gamblers. Not forgetting, offshore sites still account for a significant share of the market, a trend that might continue for a few more years to come.
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