Online gaming has taken India by storm in the recent past and it does not come as a surprise that cricket is ruling the roost. Cricket is a religion in India and in a phase, which has seen the line fantasy gaming industry boom in the country, cricket has been the biggest beneficiary and has increased even more in popularity. There are several internal and external factors and in this blog, we will explore the various factors playing a pivotal role in the ever-increasing popularity of fantasy cricket in India.
Before digging deep into the factors, let us take a look at the sheer numbers and statistics which depict the clear dominance of cricket in the online gaming fantasy sector. Indian Fantasy Sports Market size is valued at ₹35000 Crores and fantasy cricket gaming has over 7 million active users. The world’s biggest Fantasy Sports market is in India, with an active user base of over 13 crores. This market is expected to grow further at a rate of 32% in the projected period. It doesn’t come as a surprise that online fantasy cricket dominates sports platforms, especially in India. The emergence of fantasy sports has also increased the popularity of women’s cricket in India.
If we take a close look at the stats and figures, we would observe that the number of active fantasy sports players in India has jumped by 700% in the last 10 years while the number of fantasy sports users has also climbed by 2500% with a major share being dominated by Cricket and Kabbadi. The gross income earned by the fantasy sports sector in FY 2021 was 2600 crores while the market size was Rs 950 crore in 2020.
Let us now take a detailed look at the factors responsible for the increase in the popularity of Online fantasy cricket in India.
1. Users want to be a part of the real-time action:
Fans want to be a part of real-time cricket matches and fantasy gaming helps them to get that feeling even though in a digital format. Users believe that they are cricketing experts themselves and they love to show their knowledge against other players. Making teams on online fantasy platforms helps fans to enjoy the games in their ways and this is one of the major reasons behind the rapid growth of fantasy cricket in India.
2. Online Fantasy Platforms offer great user engagement:
The user experience in online platforms has improved substantially and cricket fans have become addicted to most of the fantasy cricket games online. The simplicity of being able to operate from any device is a great convenience for all players. Moreover, there is the added incentive of lucrative cash prizes and rewards. The winning teams who win contests win huge real-time cash prizes, which they can easily transfer to their bank account immediately. In addition, the platforms also offer many more attractive daily winning opportunities.
3. Passion of Indian fans for Cricket:
In India, cricket is treated as a religion and it is more than just a sport. The arrival of online fantasy games has been an instant hit among cricket fans in the country. It has sparked a craze among cricket fans who want to have a closer experience of the game and feel like they are an integral part of it.
Cricket is a part of every child’s growing up days in India and it’s no surprise that 70% of Indians are aware of the rules of the game and love and worship the sport. This passion for the sport has turned into a craze for users of online fantasy cricket platforms.
4. Popularity of online gaming among the Youth:
The young population of the country especially the youth aged between 18-30 are addicted to online gaming and fantasy cricket is rapidly increasing in popularity among this age group. 25% – 30% of the investments used for participating in these contests come from the pockets of these players. The average annual income of more than 70% of the active user base is more than 3 lakhs per annum, which makes them financially independent. Over 80% of users between the ages of 18-24 and 25-36 play three fantasy contests a week on average.
5. Increase in the number of market players:
The Indian fantasy sports industry has begun to thrive in recent days, especially because numerous individuals are willing to invest in such start-ups. Several platforms have come up, allowing users to choose from a wide range of options. Online fantasy platforms have now increased to over 150 in India. So, the more the number of platforms, the greater the user base it can reach and that has certainly played a pivotal role in popularizing the online fantasy concept.
Let us now take a detailed look at the effects of the increase in the popularity of fantasy cricket in India.
1. Increase in viewership of Cricket:
When fans invest money in one of the best fantasy sports platforms and make teams, they look to always stay attached to the game and thereby increase the overall viewership. The sports appetite and viewership of sports fans in the country are receiving a great boost thanks to the exposure to various events on fantasy sports platforms. Stable and consistent levels of fan engagement are leading to greater viewership, attracting more sponsorships and endorsement deals, which helps in the overall development of the sports infrastructure.
2. Driving the growth of the online gaming industry:
The concept of Fantasy sports has massive potential and it is a known fact. This is why its emergence has sparked tremendous interest in virtual sports among Indian gamers. This is helping in the overall development of the online gaming industry in India. The fact that Technology is advancing rapidly with time, it gets easier and simpler for everyone involved. The result of internet usability, network reach, and services (4G and now 5G) across India has also played a pivotal part in helping many passionate individuals in following their love for sports online.
3. Increase in Employment in the online gaming sector:
The rapid increase in the popularity of online fantasy platforms has been a great boon in employment. Due to the dynamic increase in demand, various job roles and opportunities have opened for people interested in working in the online gaming, development, and sports sector. This has also boosted the economy of the country and has created a profitable ecosystem all around. There are currently close to 5,000 individuals working in permanent roles within the Indian fantasy sports industry.
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