Dentsu India and IWMBuzz Media have entered a landmark three-year partnership to co-present the India Gaming Awards and publish the India Gaming Report, cementing their commitment to shaping the future of India’s pure-play gaming industry.
Pure-play gaming, unlike real money gaming, involves no monetary stakes and is driven purely by entertainment. With rapid growth across tier-two and tier-three cities, the sector is emerging as a cultural and economic powerhouse in India. Currently valued at ₹6,715 crore and growing at a 24% CAGR, pure-play gaming represents a thriving creator economy and a community that spans age, geography, and language.
The partnership builds on the success of the inaugural India Gaming Report, which highlighted a booming ecosystem of 13.85 crore gamers, strong mobile-first adoption, and double-digit annual growth.
Over the next three years, Dentsu India and IWMBuzz aim to scale the India Gaming Awards into the country’s most prestigious celebration of gaming and esports—uniting developers, publishers, influencers, gamers, brands, and policymakers. The awards will evolve into a year-round movement driving dialogue, sparking innovation, and shaping the gaming ecosystem.
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The India Gaming Report will continue to serve as the definitive industry guide, expanding its coverage to consumer behavior, monetization models, regulatory trends, and cultural shifts, equipping stakeholders with insights to navigate a rapidly evolving space.
Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, dentsu, said:
“Gaming is the most dynamic cultural and economic force shaping India’s youth and Bharat’s heartland today. It is where technology, creativity, and community converge; and where the next chapter of India’s growth story will be written. This partnership with IWMBuzz is not just about awards or reports. It is about building the foundation for an industry that can rival the best in the world. We are not here to be spectators. We are here to lead. From metros to small towns, from esports arenas to mobile screens, gaming will be India’s next great connector – a platform for jobs, innovation, and cultural pride. Dentsu India will be at the heart of this transformation.”
Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu, added:
“The India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report are more than events or publications – they are catalysts. They will help shift the conversation from ‘gaming is growing’ to ‘gaming is defining India’s future’. Gaming’s power lies in its ability to unite audiences across geography, language, and background. In an era where attention is the most valuable currency, gaming is one of the few spaces where people willingly give not just their time, but their passion. Our mission is to help brands earn that passion with authenticity, insight, and creativity. This is how we will shape the India and Bharat gaming story.”
Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media, remarked:
“When we launched the India Gaming Awards, our vision was to give the gaming community a stage worthy of its talent and ambition. Partnering with dentsu takes that vision to an entirely new level. With dentsu’s scale, data, and cultural insight, we are not just recognising excellence! We are building platforms and narratives that will inspire the next wave of gamers, developers, and innovators. Together, we will ensure that India’s gaming story is told boldly, inclusively, and on the world stage.”
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