Reading Time: 3 minutes
India is one of the most exciting and promising markets in the world for casino operators, thanks to its growing economy and massive population.
Which states are leading this industry boom? SevenJackpots Casino Website published a recent extensive research based on proprietary data analyses that sheds light on which states are the most active in online gambling and what factors influence their behaviour.
Maharashtra leads by a sizable margin thanks to Mumbai and Pune
SevenJackpots’ data analysis shows that Maharashtra is the undisputed leader in terms of online casino registrations and player visits. Maharashtra has a 17.4% share of national users, which is a huge advantage over the competition.
Mumbai and Pune are two of the largest metropolises in India, with a large population and a high level of disposable income. Residents of these areas have embraced online gambling for entertainment and leisure.
These two metros, with their growing tech industries, favorable business climate and media exposure and extensive internet, contribute to the dominant position of the state on the Indian online gambling scene.
Telangana and West Bengal, Karnataka follow the leader
Telangana (9.9% of Indians use online gambling), West Bengal (9.3%), Karnataka (9.5%) and West Bengal (9.3%%) are the runners-up after Maharashtra.
These states have a large population, which is mostly above levels of poverty. This contributes to their strong presence on the online casino market.
Telangana is a state with low poverty (11,29%), high income per capita and excellent internet penetration. This all contributes to its online gambling success. Karnataka is also a market that attracts online casino operators because of its relatively better social and economic factors.
West Bengal’s poverty level is 19.98%. This is slightly less than Karnataka’s – 20.91 % – but it still registers nearly half the Southern state’s GDP per capita ($5,983 in West Bagal, compared to $11,524 in Karnataka). West Bengal is compensated by a population that is roughly 50% larger (99.6 vs. 67.5 million) and thus manages to achieve the same 9.3% casino user share as Karnataka.
Next, we have Uttar Pradesh (8.2%), Tamil Nadu (8.1%), and NCT Delhi (8.1%) with nearly identical casino usage shares. UP is the state with the highest population but also the lowest income and poverty rate. This is the exact opposite of National Capital Territory. Telangana falls somewhere in between.
Goa is an interesting case. While the small coastal state has a high GDP per capita and is a popular gambling destination in licensed onshore and offshore casinos, its tiny population doesn’t have a big impact on the online gaming scene.
The role of disposable income and GDP
SevenJackpots Casino’s research shows that disposable income is a crucial factor in determining the propensity to gamble online. India’s large middle class is reflected in the disparity of income levels. Some have a lot to spend, while others are struggling to meet their basic needs.
The urbanization trend and increasing concentration of metro areas in India with better economic indicators also leads to an increase in online gambling. Researchers point out that major urban centers such as Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad have a significant influence on the market. They represent almost two thirds of active online casino players.
India’s online gambling landscape is changing rapidly, largely due to factors such as urbanization, disposable earnings, and internet penetration. Maharashtra and Telangana are leading the way, but the potential for growth of the online gambling industry is huge across the country. Online casino operators should expect Indian players to become a major part of their business as economic conditions improve.
