With the esports and gaming sector in India entering a decisive growth phase, industry leaders are looking to the upcoming Union Budget for policy clarity and long-term enablement. Beyond recognition, the focus is now on creating a stable framework that can support innovation, talent, and global competitiveness.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, sees the budget as a chance to turn intent into action. He says,
“This Union Budget is an opportunity to move from recognising gaming’s potential to actively enabling its growth. Esports, game development, and original IP creation stand to benefit most from focused policy support. Treating esports on par with traditional sports, rationalising tax treatment on prize winnings, and removing the ‘high-risk’ classification for gaming businesses are critical steps. Dedicated AVGC funding for Indian IPs and greater state support for esports events can strengthen India’s global competitiveness and soft power.”
Calling for a deeper shift in how the sector is viewed, Rohit N. Jagasia, Founder, Revenant Esports, stresses the need for structural recognition and continuity in regulation. He notes,
“The esports industry is looking at a positive budget that would bring in strategic realignment. It is high time that the government sees the esports industry from a different perspective and not just an extension of the entertainment industry. The industry expects structural recognition and long term enablement from the government. There should be a continuity in the policy on skill-based gaming with more clarity on tax and compliance framework. As per estimates, the esports industry in India was valued at around $200 million in 2024 and is expected to touch $1 billion by 2033. The scope is huge and emphasis on building digital infrastructure, talent development, and export-led growth will be the right way forward with this Union Budget.”
Together, their views reflect a growing consensus within the ecosystem: that the Union Budget can play a defining role in shaping the future of esports and gaming in India, not just as an entertainment category, but as a serious economic and cultural force on the global stage.
