Online gaming corporations are in for a busy year ahead. Casual video games, esports & dwell streaming are growing at a rapid pace due to the coronavirus pandemic-induced restrictions which resulted in more & more individuals engaging in online gaming for extended periods of time.

Online gaming has emerged as a highly popular medium for leisure & traders have made huge bets on the sector, regardless of the future perspective on real money gaming corporations turning a bit negative due to regulatory roadblocks. The online gaming business managed to raise $174 million in 2020 as opposed to $97.2 million a year back, according to information from business tracker Tracxn.

Fundraising this year is forecasted to exceed earlier information, business specialists said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a transformation to every industry globally and the esports industry is no different. The lockdown fuelled this already-burgeoning industry,” said Abhishek Madhavan, SVP, Growth & Marketing at Mobile Premier League.

The 300 million-strong ardent gamers market is going to grow to 440 million by the year 2022, he added.

Nonetheless, online actual cash gaming corporations in rummy, poker & fantasy segments are expected to spend the year communicating with the central government to revoke bans imposed by Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh. These bans have taken the sheen off the rapid development experienced by the business. The state of Telangana banned these games a few years back.

“What we have seen in the last few months is a pushback by states with respect to online games,” said L Badri Narayanan, Partner at legislation agency Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan. “2021 will be a year of engagement between the industry, various stakeholders and the governments. Hope to move from absolute bans to a more regulated, licensed gaming which ensures fun and safety,” he further stated.

Online rummy, fantasy sports activities & poker platforms similar to Dream11, Mobile Premier League, My11Circle, PokerSaint, RummyCircle, Ace2three, Winzo & PaytmFirst Games have been negatively affected by the bans.

“What has happened in South India has put a little bit of uncertainty into the mix. Other parameters are well & good and on course,” stated All India Gaming Federation CEO Roland Landers. “As of now, things have been a bit reactive but going forward we have to be more proactive as an industry and reach out to them.”

The business is asking for rules to be implemented as a substitute option to a total ban. They are moreover in talks with Karnataka authorities, which is in an undecided state regarding imposing a ban similar to the other South Indian states.

Online poker gaming app Pocket52 said that states are eager to listen to corporations as they get acquainted with the fact that bans imposed by them can cause job losses.

Pocket52 CMO Debashish Bhattacharjee said that the corporate has recently added rummy to its portfolio & has the ability to swiftly add bridge card recreation to journey the wave of development witnessed due to the pandemic.

Adda52 Rummy CEO said that development over the current base will remain the principal issue during 2021 courtesy of the bans.