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How the Business of Esports is a Chance to be Grabbed in India
The Indian Esports industry is growing rapidly. Growth and penetration of internet infrastructure along with the accessibility of affordable gaming devices have contributed to the rise of Esports in India. Currently, there are over 150 million esports gamers in India which is expected to grow to 270 million by 2024. Contrary to the statistics of gamers around the world, India has grown into a mobile dominant esports ecosystem due to the increasing interest and ease of accessibility to affordable gaming phones among millennials. With 5g technology on the way, we would see more gamers turning to esports enthusiasts.
If we go by numbers, the Indian Esports industry accounted for 9.13% of aggregated revenue out of the overall online gaming market in FY20 as per the inc42 report. India also saw a huge rise in esports viewership touching 17 million in 2020 which is expected to cross 90 million by 2025.
Business opportunities
From game publishers to end gamers, the whole ecosystem runs at multiple levels which gives a plethora of opportunities for businesses and gamers. Here are some of the possible avenues:
1. Event Organizers:
Esports League IPs are being built for different esports games like PMPL & Free Fire Championship to name a few. Organizing big League events attracts massive participation as well as viewership from gaming enthusiasts and fans of esports entities providing lucrative monetization opportunities with Sponsorship, Media Rights, Ticketing, Merchandise, and more. India has seen brands like Mountain Dew, Poco, Qualcomm, Jio, Intel, and many more sponsoring esports tournaments and teams in recent years.
2. Career Opportunities:
Esports is slowly but steadily turning into a viable career option for many. Esports Athlete as a career has now also become lucrative as multiple Team IPs being launched and new startups are launching their own teams to compete in League events. In addition to that, casters/commentators, video editors, coaches, and streamers, etc. are some great options that you can explore as a career in the Esports industry. Casting Talent/Commentator profile offers the opportunity to talk about the game as it goes on.
3. Professional Team Organizations:
With more leagues and events being hosted we’re seeing esports organizations forming professional teams and coaching them into Esports athletes. Owning an esports team creates an invaluable IP where one can monetize via sponsorships, content, and prize pool.
4. Gaming Cafes
Esports cafes have great potential as they support gamers to play Esports games and tournaments without having expensive and requisite hardware. India has over 350-plus such esports cafes equipped with mandatory infrastructure in place. Recently NVIDIA announced to add up to 100 more cafes to the list.
5. Content Monetization
Esports being a spectator sport attracts millions of players who not only play the game but also watch online gameplay on streaming platforms along with keeping up to date with the latest happenings in esports. With the high demand for quality content, monetization via advertisement and patronage has been the bread and butter of the industry.
Investing in Esports is a Viable Business Option
Esports in India is an opportunity waiting to be grabbed, and a lot is already happening in the space.
Increase in Esports League Prize Pool
One of the key reasons behind the skyrocketing popularity of Esports is the prize money attached to it. Since 2016, the prize money given to the players participating in the leagues and tournaments has increased manifold. This has solely attracted a huge audience base In India to play esports and win big.
Prize pools paid out from Indian tournaments saw an increase of over 180%, from just above $500K USD in 2018 to over $1.5M in 2019 with international events like ESL One Mumbai, COBX Masters, and DreamHack Delhi happening in India. The domestic prize pool surge has been fuelled by the popularity of the games such as Free Fire, PUBG Mobile (now introduced as BGMI), and other multiplayer action or strategy games.
Recent Investments in Esports
As the demand for competitive gaming is growing, venture capital firms and investors are showing interest in investing in Esports. Recently, Krafton has done an equity investment of Rs 154 crore in Nodwin Gaming along with $9 million as seed funding to Loco – a game streaming platform popular among streamers. This shows positive growth and opens the gateway for other VCs and firms to look at investment opportunities in the esports ecosystem in India.
Esports in India: The Way Forward
Esports is already an established industry in countries like the US, Japan, and China. India has the caliber and capacity to become the global leader in Esports, and it is about to explode.
By: Mr. Tarun Gupta, Founder, Ultimate Battle, India’s first-ever one-stop online esports platform.

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BETBY BOOSTS E-SIM GAME PORTFOLIO WITH TWO NEW eSOCCER TITLES, MERGING REALISM AND RAPID PLAY
BETBY, the innovative sportsbook supplier, has expanded its Betby.Games portfolio with the launch of two brand-new eSoccer titles: X-Battle FC and a new e-sim built on the globally renowned football franchise, PES. These additions reinforce BETBY’s commitment to delivering engaging, high-frequency content tailored to the iGaming audience, while serving distinct purposes within its wider esports strategy.
The first release, X-Battle FC, is designed for speed and simplicity, continuing BETBY’s sub-1-minute Blitz game series. The current tournament lineup includes the AFC Asian Cup, Copa América, Euro, and the World Cup. With over 60,000 matches generated per month, X-Battle FC significantly boosts the volume and instant-play appeal of BETBY’s proprietary esports content.
Meanwhile, BETBY has also launched a new eSoccer title fully optimized for the 2025 season. This release is focused on enhancing the depth and realism of BETBY’s eSoccer vertical, featuring immersive visuals, enriched match data, and updated team rosters. It debuts with a curated lineup of tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup, Brasileirão Série B, the Chinese Super League, Colombia’s Liga, Argentina’s Primera División, and Russia’s Premier League.
Additional leagues will be introduced as part of a phased rollout, with plans to launch over 35 new tournaments within the next three months. This expansion will include not only top-tier competitions such as the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, but also lesser-known national championships from countries including Greece, Scotland, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia. The game’s betting offer will also continue to evolve, with a strong emphasis on stat-driven markets designed to foster analytical play and long-term engagement.
Together, these two launches further evolve the Betby.Games ecosystem, which now comprises 19 proprietary titles, over 70 tournaments, more than 350 betting markets, and 400,000 live matches per month. By combining fast-paced gameplay with data-rich, immersive simulations, BETBY continues to deliver tailored experiences that support both entertainment and operational performance, giving operators the tools to reach a broader player base and drive retention.
Commenting on the launches, Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Sportsbook Product at BETBY, said: “With the release of new titles in our eSoccer offering, we are significantly expanding opportunities for our operators. By following a localized approach, we focus on delivering the right content for each market. In addition, we continue to enhance our platform’s stability with every release. Stability and product quality are among our core values, and they represent a standard our competitors will never be able to replicate.”
To find out more about BETBY, visit: https://betby.com/
The post BETBY BOOSTS E-SIM GAME PORTFOLIO WITH TWO NEW eSOCCER TITLES, MERGING REALISM AND RAPID PLAY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GLI Reaffirms Sponsorship of Gala Dinner at Regulating the Game 2026
As Regulating the Game prepares for its sixth edition in Sydney, GLI’s continued sponsorship of the Gala Dinner reinforces the conference’s vital role in shaping future gaming policy, fostering innovation, and cultivating ethical leadership worldwide.
Regulating the Game announced that Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) will return as the Gala Dinner sponsor for the 2026 conference, reaffirming its status as a foundation sponsor and valued partner in promoting regulatory excellence, sector integrity, and global collaboration.
Now in its sixth edition, Regulating the Game has established itself as a leading international conference for gambling law, policy, and compliance as well as showcasing industry innovation and leadership. The event returns to Sydney in March 2026 with a bold and dynamic program designed to advance capability, challenge conventional thinking, and cultivate ethical and innovative leadership across the sector.
GLI’s renewed sponsorship highlights its enduring commitment to industry integrity and its strong alignment with the conference’s mission to promote evidence-led policy, ethical governance, and safer gambling outcomes.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, welcomed the continued partnership: “GLI has been an unwavering supporter since the inception of Regulating the Game. Their ongoing sponsorship of the Gala Dinner not only enhances the event’s prestige but reflects a shared dedication to strengthening regulatory frameworks and industry resilience through global engagement, thought leadership, and rigorous standards.”
For over 35 years, GLI has provided world-class testing, certification, and professional services to regulators, suppliers, and operators across 710+ jurisdictions. GLI’s unwavering focus on independence and integrity has made it a trusted partner in supporting secure and compliant gaming markets.
Ian Hughes, chief commercial officer / CEO, APAC said: “At GLI, our mission is to help ensure the integrity of the global gaming industry through independent and trusted services. We are honoured to continue supporting Regulating the Game, a conference that champions innovation, fosters policy and industry dialogue, and helps shape the future of gaming through thought leadership, education and collaboration.”
The Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner – one of the conference’s premier networking and celebration events – will again provide delegates with a memorable evening of exceptional hospitality, engagement, and recognition of sector leadership.
With Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House, an expanded Exhibition footprint and growing international program of regulatory and industry stewards, expert led masterclasses and panels, Regulating the Game 2026 is set to elevate regulatory discourse and strengthen cross-sector alliances.
The post GLI Reaffirms Sponsorship of Gala Dinner at Regulating the Game 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Mastercard Extends Partnership with Esports World Cup 2025
The collaboration will introduce a range of immersive on-ground activations, Priceless Experiences and seamless payment solutions to enhance the fan journey
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced the return of Mastercard as an official event supplier for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports event, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24. The renewed partnership underscores Mastercard’s continued commitment to elevating digital experiences, championing youth engagement, and supporting the Kingdom’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.
Through the collaboration with the Esports World Cup, Mastercard will introduce a range of immersive on-ground activations and seamless payment solutions designed to enhance the overall fan journey. This will include creating a bespoke version of the Mastercard Gamer Academy, where Mastercard, in collaboration with G2 Esports and Esports World Cup, designed a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide 10 successful applicants with the opportunity to be mentored by professionals on how they could pursue a career in esports. Further, fans can collect Priceless Points by interacting with the games and activities available at the Mastercard booth for the chance to win ultimate gaming gear that will be rewarded to the top scoring players. Further, there will be live appearances by G2 Esports players to be hosted as fireside chats to talk about areas like pro esports. The brand’s presence will emphasize the intersection of technology, gaming, and culture, anchored by initiatives that highlight and support local Saudi talent.
“Mastercard’s return as a partner reflects the Esports World Cup’s evolution from a tournament into a global cultural platform,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Together, we’re creating impactful experiences that go beyond gameplay, uniting youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and immersive fan engagement. Mastercard’s focus on Priceless experiences and innovation makes them an ideal partner to help us inspire the next generation of gamers and connect with fans in meaningful and memorable ways.”
Saud Swar, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and other Levant, Mastercard added, “We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation as we continue to unlock the potential of gaming in the Kingdom. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Mastercard is committed to connecting people to their passions, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation. Our priceless experiences help empower youth, promote digital inclusion, and celebrate Saudi Arabia’s vibrant esports culture.”
This partnership builds on Mastercard’s long-standing global support for the gaming and esports industry, including its strategic sponsorship of Riot Games’ League of Legends and VALORANT. It reinforces Mastercard’s leadership in digital payments and its role in shaping future-facing experiences through youth engagement and innovation.
The 2025 Esports World Cup will host 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries. With a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million, the event will offer fans a comprehensive entertainment experience, from high-stakes competition and live music to anime cafés, retro arcades, cosplay showcases, and more, cementing Riyadh’s position as a global esports and entertainment hub.
The post Mastercard Extends Partnership with Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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