BGMI ban could negatively impact India’s gaming market growth in 2023 Prakash, November 23, 2022October 27, 2023 The anticipated growth of the Indian gaming market in 2023 may face setbacks due to the 2022 ban on Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), as indicated by insights from Niko Partners, a market research and consulting firm. BGMI, developed by South Korean company Krafton and renowned as one of the leading battle royale games, was prohibited by the Indian government in July 2022 due to purported safety and privacy concerns. Niko Partners suggests that the repercussions of this ban could result in lower-than-expected growth for the Indian gaming market in 2023. Despite the BGMI ban, the gaming markets for both PC and mobile platforms in India are projected to sustain growth. The number of gamers is forecasted to double from 396.4 million in 2022 to 630 million by 2026. Gamers in both segments are expected to contribute to a spending amount of $704.5 million in 2022, with a projected increase to $1.4 billion by 2026. It’s important to note that the report excludes figures from the real money games (RMG) market, encompassing card games like Poker and Rummy, as well as Fantasy sports. India stands out as the fastest-growing gaming market in Asia in terms of both gamers and revenue, although it currently ranks second to China in total gamer numbers. The report reveals that Indian gamers dedicate an average of 14.1 hours per week to mobile gaming, with the country exhibiting the highest percentage of gamers who play for over 5 hours weekly. The accessibility of the lowest data costs globally and the impending introduction of 5G in the country contribute to these impressive figures. Remarkably, a staggering 98.8% of Indian gamers engage in gaming activities on smartphones, with cost considerations being a predominant factor. In alignment with these trends, a recent report by technology staffing firm TeamLease Digital highlights expectations that the gaming industry will generate 1 lakh direct and indirect new jobs by the financial year 2023-24. online gaming news