Indian gamblers turn to eSports betting amid covid-19. Findings from a research conducted by global research agency 2CV and ProdegeMR shows a growth spurt during the global pandemic. Based on research conducted in the UK at the start of the pandemic in April, latest figures from Indian gamblers shows a growing interest in esports betting. The spread of COVID-19 played a significant role accelerating this growth.
The survey found that although gambling is illegal or strictly regulated across states in India, a majority of Indian adults’ gamble in some form every year. With 59% of gamblers typically betting on sports, the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on how and where betting can take place.
44% of gamblers have reduced their gambling spend as a result of the pandemic, with 84% agreeing that they have actively looked for new things to bet on and 69% having already shifted their spending on other forms of gambling.
Some of this shift resulted in an increase in esports gambling, with 9% having made a bet on esports in the last 3 months – 62% of whom only started betting on esports since the pandemic began. A further 31% of bettors are actively considering betting on esports during the next 3 months.
Despite these positive developments, India still poses some challenges. The murky regulations, lack of awareness and lack of access are some of the biggest barriers to adoption of esports gambling. Over 85% of non esports gamblers stating that they needed more information before they could start betting.
James Redden Managing Director at 2CV Singapore, said “With a large pool of mobile gamers (estimated to be 250 million), the potential for esports growth is enormous. A potential betting play could accelerate this growth even further.”
[image: Alok Sharma]
