While only an estimated 20% of online games played in India are currently made by Indian gaming firms, the homegrown sector has been growing quickly in recent years. And there are now more than 900 Indian gaming start-ups.
Yet while all had been looking good, shockwaves were sent through the industry back in July when the government announced that it was inducing a new 28% tax on online gaming. Such was the vagueness of the wording that the fear was that it could affect all Indian gaming firms.
However, New Delhi subsequently clarified that the tax, which starts next month, will only apply to so-called “iGaming”. These are gambling sites, such as online casinos; or “real money” games in which the players have to pay to enter, and then compete to win prize money, such as some fantasy cricket competitions.
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Mr Singh, who is from the city of Chandigarh, in northern India, is indicative of a country that increasingly really likes computer games.
Last year, there were 421 million people in India who played online games, according to a report in April by accountancy group Ernst & Young.
This big growth is said to have been fuelled by the coronavirus lockdowns giving people more leisure time, and the increased availability of affordable smartphones and cheap internet data packs - 90% of Indian gamers use their phones rather than a computer or games console.
Mr Suji adds: "We think the prospects of esports is very bright, especially in the years ahead where we’re expecting more corporate support for our young players.
As for the firms that are affected by the new tax, in terms of collective revenues, they are currently three times larger than the esports and casual gaming sectors.
Companies will have to rethink the unit economics and business models to ensure that player retention and profitability are still achievable in this new normal."
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