The India Gaming Report 2025 by Dentsu and IWMBuzz has arrived at a defining moment for India’s creative and advertising industries. With the country’s gaming market projected to reach ₹33,243 crore by 2029, growing at a robust 23% CAGR, brands and agencies are being urged to rethink how they engage with India’s 590 million gamers.

“Gaming in India is alive, loud, and unstoppable,” said Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, Dentsu. “Creators are building worlds, testing limits, and turning passion into careers. At Dentsu India, we don’t just watch this ecosystem grow—we help shape it.”

RMG Regulations Trigger Creative Reinvention

The ban on Real Money Gaming (RMG) platforms has reshaped the industry landscape. Instead of slowing growth, it has accelerated creative reinvention, shifting focus toward esports and skill-based gaming.

According to the report, esports revenues are expected to grow at a 33% CAGR, reaching ₹2,799 crore by 2029. For brands, this represents a massive opportunity to engage with passionate, highly involved audiences who value authenticity.

“This report is more than data—it’s a blueprint for creators, studios, and brands,” said Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, Dentsu.

The Rise of Gaming Creators

One of the most striking insights from the report is the influence of gaming creators.

79% of gamers follow gaming influencers.

70% make purchase decisions based on creator recommendations.

“Gaming is no longer niche—it’s mainstream and dynamic,” said Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media.

For brands, this means traditional pre-roll ads aren’t enough. The focus must shift to creator collaborations, in-game integrations, and community-driven storytelling.

Mobile-First and Tier 2+ Growth

The report highlights that 97% of Indian gamers play on smartphones, confirming the country’s mobile-first gaming reality. Additionally, 58% of gaming engagement now comes from Tier 2+ cities, proving that India’s gaming revolution is spreading beyond metros.

This shift demands regionalized creative strategies, localized language support, and campaigns that resonate with India’s diverse culture.

Three Key Opportunities for Brands

Tournament Marketing:
60% of gamers have watched or participated in esports events — a massive untapped advertising stage.

Skill-Based Narratives:
Skill gaming aligns with stories of mastery, competition, and achievement, ideal for aspirational branding.

Cross-Platform Storytelling:
Gamers consume content across apps, social media, and streaming — allowing brands to build multi-platform campaigns.
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The Technology-Creativity Connection

As gaming becomes more sophisticated, technology partners are playing a crucial role.

“Every challenge and every victory fuels innovation,” said Apurva Jani, Marketing Director, Intel India.

The collaboration between hardware innovation and creative storytelling is giving rise to next-gen brand experiences — immersive, technical, and emotionally engaging.

The Bottom Line

At 590 million strong, India’s gaming audience is too big to ignore. The RMG regulations have, in fact, brought clarity and stability, allowing brands to focus on long-term creative storytelling instead of short-term bets.

For creative leaders, the question isn’t “Should we enter gaming?” anymore. It’s “How can we do it authentically?”

The India Gaming Report 2025 makes one thing clear: gaming is no longer just entertainment — it’s India’s fastest-growing creative frontier, and the brands that understand its culture will define the next decade of digital storytelling.