Fantasy Sports in India: The Rise and Impact

Over the last few years, India's FS industry has blossomed. Today, with a market that has grown to over 340 billion rupees (INR) and further stimulated by strategic investments, the industry serves more than 12 million registered users. The fantasy sports have thus propelled Indian Sports into a positive development cycle, and besides giving rise to economic resources for the state, they are also contributing to sports commerce as well as helping build skills in fields such as AI/ML cloud or analytics. 

The industry has also promoted sports other than cricket, producing jobs for tomorrow and investment in commercial activity related to the field of sport. Around two decades ago, in 2001 to be exact, ESPN Star Sports launched the ‘Super Selector Fantasy Game’, which gave birth to an exciting trend. It was also the action that first raised eyebrows among the Indian masses and marked the start of an ascendancy in India's fantasy market. The market has captured the imagination. Today, India's biggest fantasy sports platform boasts over 180 million users alone. The industry has also met with its own challenges, such as worries that the games will drive people into addiction or turn them penniless; lack of regulation to keep up with fast-changing fashion seasons and online gaming technology developments; and huge advertising spending by fantasy gamers. During the IPL cricket matches, income from fantasy gaming platforms rose 24 percent to more than 28 billion rupees. Critics have also charged the industry with recruiting people, including minors, into their gaming world.

Indian Fantasy Sports Industry has grown rapidly over the past few years. However, with a market of over INR 340 billion that has grown through targeted investment, the industry serves more than 13 crore registered users. The development of fantasy sports has led to a vicious cycle in sports promotion, not only stimulating economic activity but also the growth of Sportstech business and skills that are relevant now and into the future. The industry has also extended sports beyond the confines of cricket, generating future-proof jobs and so on. Around twenty years ago, in 2001, ESPN Star Sports introduced the 'Super Selector Fantasy Game', which helped set Indian phones agog with the fantasy sports market. This was the first move that attracted attention among the Indian masses and marked the dawn of India's fantasy market. This market is very popular. The biggest fantasy sports platform in India has over 180 million users alone. The industry, though, has faced problems as well--addiction and financial ruin fears; and lack of regulation that attracted massive advertising campaigns by fantasy gaming apps. During the IPL cricket matches, fantasy gaming platforms 'income increased by 24 %. The total reached over twenty-eight billion rupees. Critics also claim that the industry has enticed people, including minors into gambling.