Online poker gaming: How its benefits are pushing its growth

Whether it is poker, casino slots or rummy, every gaming enthusiast should follow responsible gaming. Irrespective of how your luck factor plays or your expertise in the game, you can never go wrong by playing responsibly, explains Varun Mahna, Founder & CEO, PokerDangal.

Talk about the most addictive things and online games will probably top the charts. To the surprise of many, online gaming is now a full-blown industry. KPMG statistics say that online gaming in India will grow at a CAGR of 22.1% by 2023. The industry is a huge cultural content market, millennials being its driving force. Contrary to the perceived belief that it is a waste of time or another bad addiction for millennials, online games help teach and develop some noteworthy skills as well. The online gaming industry is a mutually beneficial ecosystem for global giants, start-up gaming developers, and players, providing them opportunities to satisfy their lucrative appetite for online gaming.

Skill Development: Online games are commonly perceived by many as a medium to kill time but there is much more they offer. These games are educational as well and teach important skills like observation skills, interpersonal skills, analytical skills and help improve memory and concentration power which enhances overall mental enrichment. For instance, challenging card games like poker and rummy involve complex mathematical calculations, probability, permutations, combinations which are no less than a mental workout.

Real money games require concentration and alertness. These games induce interpersonal and cognitive skills which further helps sharpen the brain and boost long-term memory. Online card games are also a great platform to learn interactive skills. As it usually requires people to work in teams for winning better rewards, it helps them interact better in day to day life and at the workplace. These games have long been identified to improve concentration and memory of players. It relaxes the mind, improves time management skills and enhances a player’s judgement and analytical skills.

Responsible gaming is the need of the hour: Responsible gaming programmes have become a critical part of everyday business practices of some companies in the online gaming industry. The key goal is to ensure that patrons responsibly enjoy online games as a form of entertainment and stay away from gambling addiction. A general thumb rule is to never play for money you cannot afford to lose and to never expect to win. One must keep track of their addiction to real money games as doing so will help you address any issue before it becomes a problem.

The biggest problem is to admit that you have a problem with gaming. However, it is important to realise that admitting a problem is the first step towards recovery. Though the established gaming platforms have got several measures in place to ensure that their customers are playing responsibly, it is up to you as a user to follow the principles. This requires a sense of self-awareness and willingness to play responsibly.

Whether it is poker, casino slots or rummy, every gaming enthusiast should follow responsible gaming. Irrespective of how your luck factor plays or your expertise in the game, you can never go wrong by playing responsibly. Online gaming is supposed to be a fun experience where you can escape the monotonous routine of your daily life and not a gambling addiction. Therefore, it is prudent to choose a reputed online gaming platform that is big on ethics.

Responsible Gaming is a law followed in western countries which are more mature with respect to online gaming laws to protect the players from losing more than what their pocket allows. The current legal framework in our country has not clearly defined responsible gaming acts in the sector and hence the onus is on the operators to self-regulate. From setting up deposit limits to taking a break from the game or any psychological consultations, some gaming platforms are providing all the support to ensure users are not wronged in any way.

The Growth Story: Over the past couple of years, online gaming has grown exponentially. Currently a population of 8 million players play poker (physical and online) in India of which roughly 3 million are online gamers. Globally the online poker industry rakes in more than $4Bn of rake. India has begun seeing the growth of the game in the last 3 years and the next 10 years will see this user base increasing exponentially. It is estimated that roughly a population of 310 million Indian users would be playing online games by 2021 and 41% of these Indian users would be playing skill-based card games.

In the times of lockdown, people are spending hours playing their favourite games online. It is not because they are obsessed with these games, but gaming helps reduce stress and anxiety, something needed the most right now. The online gaming industry is only going to see a spike in these unsettling times and more people are going to play games of skill. Poker, for instance, requires immense focus and uninterrupted attention. A source of entertainment and earning money as well, online poker has seen a staggering growth in the country.

Summing it all up: As people look for recreational activities in their busy lives, the potential market of online gaming will continue to grow exponentially. Owing to a steady rise in consumption volumes, the industry will witness an ecosystem of enthusiastic gamers, creative designers and engaged developers.