The online poker scene in India has witnessed a significant growth over the last decade. The growth of this skill-based game can be attributed to several factors like the Covid-19 impact, increased awareness, innovation in technology, wider Internet penetration, and big guaranteed online events across various platforms.
Let us look at the key factors driving the growth of online poker in India.
Covid-19 Impact
While online poker in the country was on a growth trajectory even before the lockdown. However, once the Covid-19 induced lockdown came into effect, we saw an unprecedented surge in traffic and revenue across all major poker platforms. There was a massive increase in referrals, new sign-ups and deposits on platforms such as Spartan Poker, Adda52, PokerBaazi, Calling Station, Poker Dangal , Pocket52, and several others.
To leverage the opportunity, these sites offered amazing new tournaments and promotions. In their quest to battle boredom and earn extra money during the lockdown, thousands of people started playing poker and many of them became regs and there is already a big bunch of new crop crushing it online.
In order to benefit from new players, many live players also started playing online and some of them did really well. So, what started as an entertaining activity became a profession for many recreational players.
Increased Education & Awareness
The education and awareness around poker has grown considerably through easily accessible online publications, articles, blogs, online community forums, and tutorial videos dedicated to poker strategy and education. The credit should also be given to some major poker platforms like PokerBaazi, Spartan Poker, Adda52, MPL Poker, and Poker Stars India as all these platforms have launched various awareness campaigns to increase awareness around poker and establish it as a mind sport. Their campaigns featuring popular celebrities have resonated well with the audience. Their campaigns not only created a buzz around the game but also helped to dispel the misconception that poker is a game of luck, not a game of skill.
Innovation In Technology & Improved User Experience
The innovation in poker technology and software has played a key role in propelling the growth of online poker. User-friendly interfaces and seamless gameplay coupled with innovations in payment methods and security measures have boosted the user trust while elevating the overall appeal of online poker. All major poker platforms have upgraded their software and interface with insane graphics and features to enhance the user experience. They also ensure their legitimacy with certifications like the RNG Certificate and KYC Reviews, which ensure that only real and verified players play on their sites. This is boosting the trust and drawing in more players.
Wider Internet Penetration
The proliferation of affordable internet has also resulted in the expansion of the potential user base for online poker platforms. With people having easy and affordable access to internet, a larger pool of individuals can discover, access and engage with online poker. Although poker can be best experienced on desktop, a lot of people, especially those new to poker, play the game on their smartphones. The affordability of smartphones have made it easier for people to participate in poker games. With stable internet connections, the potential reach of the game is set to expand. The online poker market size is expected to reach over USD 237.5 Billion by 2030.
Big Guaranteed Tournaments
Hosting big guaranteed tournaments and events with lucrative cash rewards is attracting both amateur and professional players. These events often garner substantial participation, boosting the overall poker ecosystem.
The allure of competing in the massive prize pool online events such as Adda52 Online Poker (AOPS), India Online Poker Championship (IOPC), EndBoss, MoneyMaker, GOAT, and National Poker Series India (NPS) encourages more players to join, play with top pros and improve their skills. These events are reinforcing the legitimacy and appeal of poker as a competitive and engaging activity for many new kids in poker.
Crypto Poker
The use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin has also contributed to the growth online poker scene in India. Crypto poker platforms offer a secure and decentralized payment method. This eliminates the reliance on traditional banking systems and allows players to experience the thrill of big poker games while enjoying anonymity and privacy with anonymous deposits and withdrawals.
We hope this article on the Indian online poker scene was helpful for people to understand the popularity of online poker in India and also the key factors contributing to the growth of the game in the country.
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