Online games in India searches up 52 percent amid pandemic: InMobi report

PureWin

When the COVID-19 pandemic started battering the world, consumers responded by shifting towards technology as they make drastic changes in their daily lives. For the past year, consumers in mobile-first India are ditching the physical world of goods in favor of new digital experiences in the comfort and safety of their homes - be it for work, study and especially for social and leisure activities.

Online games searches increase 52 percent

The search results don't lie. In the past year, the borderless digital world allows people to spend time - albeit virtually - with their loved ones, as well as keep up with whatever it is they need to do. According to the InMobi Report: Search in India - 2021 Trends Report, there has been a "shift in netizens' online behaviour and their search preferences from the data analysed between April 2020 and June 2021."

"In the last few years, digital content consumption has increased manifold. The pandemic has further accelerated digital adoption with people spending significant time on their PC, phones, and tablet screens," said Rohit Dosi, director, Microsoft Advertising at InMobi.

Casual online games with real money gaming components are one of the fastest growing segments in India, seeing 52 percent increase in related searches, according to InMobi. Online gambling sites like Purewin have seen a drastic increase in new visitors during the past year.

A separate study by ENV Media, which utilizes proprietary data from its properties including Indian affiliate SevenJackpots casino comparison site, likewise noted that with "around half of all smartphone users in India" playing mobile games, it is no surprise that online gaming searches have seen a spike in the past 12 months. In fact, "both Google Play and Apple's App Store reported an average of 50 percent increases," ENV Media analysts said, adding that "the pandemic-stricken 2020 also pushed India to the top of global mobile game download rankings."

Skill gaming popularity will lead to better regulation

Skill-based gaming is still considered a nascent sector, and one that has been operating under the radar as the central and state governments of India grapple on the best way to regulate the market. However, there's now denying that the growing acceptance of skill-based gaming in the Indian market will pave the way towards better regulation.

Bhavin Pandya, co-founder and CEO of Games24x7, told BW Businessworld: "India has rich jurisprudence and the legality of online skills games for money was never an issue. The Supreme Court has consistently held that skill games are legitimate and constitutionally protected commercial activities that can be played or organized for gain and profit. We believe that the recent ban on online gaming is unconstitutional and we have already challenged the same in court. We also believe that it is a natural course of evolution for online real money games we have seen in other countries that eventually decided to regulate, not prohibit such games in the best interest of the government and civic society."

Courts have already recognized that there is no pure "skill" game since almost all games have an element - even if small - of chance. This already means a path forward for the skill-based gaming sector, which Pandya expects to "lead India's gaming industry."

"The appetite among Indians to match their wits against others is strong and the cash element in gaming as rewards adds the necessary spice," Pandya said. "We believe, unlike the western countries, in India, this element of consumer behaviour has led to the exponential rise of skill games like chess, bridge, and rummy. It is skill gaming that will lead India's gaming industry."

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