According to Niko Partners, the gaming market in India has surpassed the $1 billion mark and is projected to climb to $1.2 billion by the end of 2026

In 2025, for the first time, India's gaming industry surpassed $1 billion in revenue, reaching $1.04 billion, which represents a 14.8% increase from the previous year.

According to Niko Partners, revenue is anticipated to approach $1.2 billion and could hit $1.77 billion by the year 2030, marking a compound annual growth rate of 11.2% over five years.

The gaming community in India expanded to 511 million individuals last year. By 2026, this number is expected to rise above 550 million and could exceed 700 million by 2030. The share of female gamers has grown, now constituting nearly half of the gaming population, up from 43% in 2023.

The surge in revenue and user engagement was primarily due to increased expenditure on mobile gaming, driven by higher digital engagement and increasing income levels in certain consumer groups.

The monetization of mobile gaming is described by the data firm as being in its early stages, with average revenue per user recorded at $2.04 in 2025, and it is projected to increase to $2.52 by 2030.

Niko Partners noted a diversification in India's gaming community, as players explore a wider array of genres on platforms including PCs and consoles.

Although smaller in size, these segments contribute significantly to user interaction, offering publishers chances to expand beyond popular genres like battle royale and casual games.

This shift is exemplified by the rise in user-generated content, with platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft becoming favorites among the younger demographics in India.

The proportion of market revenue from mobile games outside the battle royale category climbed, growing from 53.2% in June 2023 to 62.8% by June 2026.

Niko Partners expects these dynamics, along with increasing governmental backing, a boost in esports involvement, and more opportunities for publishers, to substantially influence India's gaming landscape over the coming five years.

The firm also highlighted a change in how Indian gamers view generative AI. The analysis indicates growing apprehension among players regarding the utilization of AI by both game developers and users.

Economic fears, especially linked to AI's potential effects on jobs, are noted by Niko Partners as a major concern.