The Indian gaming industry is undergoing radical changes following the adoption of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in August 2025. The new legislation banned real-money gaming across the country but opened up vast opportunities for the development of esports and social gaming. For companies such as 1Win, this means a complete overhaul of their development strategy in the Indian market.
However, the gaming market in India is estimated to be worth $3.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $9.1 billion by 2029. At the same time, the number of players, including those who download casino games from https://1win-bet.com.in/app-download/, will grow from 488 million in 2024 to 517 million in 2025. Mobile players account for 89.92% of the total base, making mobile apps a key area of development.
Let’s try to figure out where these opposing trends will lead.
New Legislative Realities
The adopted law divided all online games into three categories: permitted skill-based games (esports and fantasy sports), prohibited games of chance with monetary bets, and hybrid games, which will be classified by the National Commission for Online Gaming. Serious penalties are provided for violations: up to 3 years in prison and a fine of 1 crore rupees for offering cash games.
The 1Win app, operating under Curacao licence number 8048/JAZ2018-040, remains available in India for the time being. The company is actively developing areas that comply with the new legislation: esports betting on Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends and Valorant, as well as social versions of popular games without cash bets.
The government has blocked 1,524 betting and gambling sites from 2022 to June 2025, demonstrating the seriousness of the authorities’ intentions. At the same time, the new law encourages the development of esports infrastructure, research into the impact of gaming on mental health, and skills development programmes in the gaming sector.
Technological Trends are Shaping the Future
Artificial intelligence is becoming a key technology for personalising gaming content. In 1Win apk, AI analyses user preferences and suggests suitable esports tournaments or social games. Machine learning helps to identify and prevent problematic behaviour, which is particularly important in the context of the new legislation.
Blockchain technologies ensure the transparency and fairness of games. 1Win apk can use blockchain to create a decentralised system for holding esports tournaments, where results and prize pools are protected from manipulation.
Cloud gaming eliminates the need for powerful hardware, which is important for the Indian market. With the spread of 5G networks, 1Win app players will be able to play complex games directly through the app without downloading them to their device. This opens up opportunities for high-quality esports broadcasts and interactive tournaments.
What Players Expect from Future Updates
Indian users of the 1Win app have expressed clear wishes regarding future development. Support for regional languages remains a priority — Hindi is currently available, but players are asking for Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and other local languages to be added.
Integration with popular Indian payment systems should be deepened. UPI, PayTM, PhonePe and Google Pay are already supported, but users are waiting for the addition of new methods such as BHIM and regional banking apps. The minimum deposit of 300 rupees makes the app affordable, but players who have downloaded the 1Win apk want an even more flexible micropayment system for participating in tournaments.
The development of social gaming features is becoming critical following the passage of the new law. Users expect:
- The creation of private rooms for games with friends and colleagues without monetary bets;
- Achievement and ranking system for social games;
- Integration with popular social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp;
- The ability to organise corporate tournaments and family competitions.
Esports as the Main Growth Area
New legislation makes esports the main direction for the legal development of gambling apps in India. The 1Win app already offers betting on major tournaments, including The International for Dota 2, the League of Legends championship and BLAST Premier for Counter-Strike 2.
The Indian esports audience is growing by 15-20% annually, especially among young people aged 15-24, who make up 39.6% of all players in the country. PUBG Mobile India Series, Free Fire tournaments and local tournaments for popular mobile games attract millions of viewers and participants.
Adapting to Regional Characteristics
Each state in India has its own characteristics in regulating online games. Tamil Nadu has night-time restrictions on gaming, while Karnataka requires data to be localised within the state. The creators of 1Win apk must adapt to these requirements by creating a flexible system of compliance with regional laws.
Cultural differences also influence player preferences. Cricket and kabaddi are more popular in the northern states, while football and badminton are more popular in the south. The app can offer personalised content based on the player’s geographical location.
The Influence of the Younger Generation on Development
Generation Z and young millennials form the main audience for mobile gaming apps in India. This group grew up with smartphones and expects instant, intuitive solutions. For the 1Win app, this means the need to constantly update the interface and add new features.
The social component of games is critically important for young audiences. The ability to share achievements on social media, create teams with friends, and participate in group challenges is becoming just as important as the game itself.
Forecasts for the Development of the 1Win App
The future of the app in India is determined by radical changes in legislation and the rapid growth of the esports industry. The ban on gambling is forcing the company to refocus on social games and esports, which is in line with the expectations of the young Indian audience. Technological trends such as AI, blockchain and 5G are creating opportunities for innovative solutions for 1Win apk. The key to success will be adaptation to regional characteristics, deep localisation of content and the development of educational esports programmes supported by new legislation.