Title: Fantasy Sports Revenue Plummets, But Other Game Categories Show Resilience

KOLKATA, DECEMBER 15, 2024 - The revenue earned by fantasy sports platforms in India plummeted to Rs 8,800 crore in 2024, down from Rs 11,000 crore last year, according to a report by Redseer. This decline is attributed to a 58 percent year-on-year (YoY) drop in the genre.

However, other game categories have shown resilience. Poker's gross gaming revenue increased by 54 percent YoY, while Rummy saw a growth of 26 percent, and casual games grew an impressive 71 percent in terms of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).

The report also highlighted that while fantasy sports revenue fell, rummy's GGR grew to Rs 16,000 crore last year, up around 6 percent from Rs 15,000 crore in 2023. Poker's gross gaming revenue for the same period reached Rs 2,100 crore.

Casual games reported a significant increase in revenue, with Zupee, a multiplayer gaming app, rising by 7 percent, and MPL growing by 5 percent. WinZo grew by 4 percent, driven by marketing efforts despite a slight ARPU dip.

The decline in fantasy sports was largely due to the de-growth of games, lower active users, and a shift towards lower-value tables. However, the genre still saw growth, albeit moderate, with a 28 percent month-on-month jump in November.

Industry experts have attributed this decline to revised GST regulations in the October-November-December (OND) period of 2023, which has focused attention on improving Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) levels and marketing expenses.

As online gaming platforms adjust to these changes, they are focusing on enhancing profitability and driving growth through innovative strategies. With other game categories showing resilience, the industry remains optimistic about its potential for recovery.

In related news, fantasy sports app Vision 11 grew a significant 53 percent MoM in November last year, driven by growth in Non-Indian International Games and the Pro Kabaddi tournament. However, platforms saw mixed results, with rummy apps experiencing declines, while poker apps posted modest growth.