With its massive and ever-growing population, India has the propensity and financial muscle to challenge the US in many industries. So, could it take on Las Vegas for the spoils of being the ultimate betting destination?
Let’s explore this right on this page!
Best Indian Alternatives to Las Vegas
When looking for a direct Indian substitute for Las Vegas, the first choice has to be Goa. The Panaji city area is considered an affluent part of the state and the entire country. The ocean meets the land here, and gamblers meet the casinos in the same part of town, with more than a handful of people populating the Mandovi Riverfront.
Over 700 kilometres north of Goa is the state of Daman — another place where casinos are evident in India. However, this market caters to a very different audience than downtown Goa. Daman’s gambling trade is mainly found in luxury hotels, as it attracts enterprising clients who prefer high roller stakes, as opposed to the glitz and neon lights of Goa’s appeal.
The other key place for the Indian gambling trade is Sikkim, in the country’s northeast corner, close to the Chinese, Nepalese, and Bhutanese borders. Again, much like Daman’s scene, the establishments in Sikkim cater to luxury high-end gamblers, as they are in hotel resorts.
While these locales, Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, offer casino and gambling experiences, they are the only states allowing casinos to operate, as they are outlawed in all the other states. If India is to truly resonate with Las Vegas or the US, it would need to legalise casino operations in different areas.
India’s Online Popularity Surge
With the information readily available on resources like Statista, it is easy to see that India is a market growing exponentially in both the online casino trade and online sports betting.
The number of online casino users has reportedly tripled from 2017 to the present day, while the figures for online sports betting have doubled in the same period. This indicates that the Indian market is growing with momentum, and there’s money to be made in the industry!
Which Games Do Indian Gamers Enjoy?
In terms of casino games, Indian bettors enjoy many wagers across different markets, which combine a mix of global casino pastimes and India-originating games.
Online Slot Machines
Multiple sources have reported that slot machines are the most popular game type for Indian online casino users. Their simplicity and notable theming activities have been credited for their success, making them appealing to Indian audiences.
Two of the most popular games are Pearls India and The Wonders of the Taj Mahal, which have prompted a lot of activity from the Indian market. If you’re eager to get in on the action without spending anything, you can try out free slot machines on Slotozilla site.
Poker
Remember the Indian casinos we spoke about earlier? They are often packed full of gamblers wanting to play poker. It is the most popular game in real-life venues and the second most popular online. Just like everywhere else, the most popular version is Texas Hold’em.
Andar Bahar
It might be a straightforward card game, but it is prevalent in India, so it is not uncommon for local gamblers to want to play it at online casinos. This simple game uses two sides of a table to differentiate between ‘Andar’ and ‘Bahar’ (outside and inside in Hindi). It is a chance-based game that appeals to inexperienced Indian bettors.
Blackjack
Indian online casino users are also keen on blackjack, pontoon, and 21— other simple games entrenched in casino culture.
Why Is India’s Online Casino Interest Growing?
Many market researchers and industry leaders refer to India, China, and Japan as ‘Asia Pacific’. This geo-definition is very important to online casinos as these three nations have been noted as having the highest amount of online casino usage (compared to the rest of the Asian continent) and are subsequently forecast to grow the most within Asia. But why is this region growing? Here are the reasons:
- Better internet connectivity and increased regional speeds have allowed more people to access online casinos.
- More money has been spent on sports and leisure activities in these nations recently; online casinos and sports betting often fall under this definition.
- Cryptocurrencies are being adopted by people in Asia and are championed by contemporary betting companies.
Is India Leading the Way Online?
India is ahead of many countries when it comes to online gambling adoption. Especially compared to other nations in its locality.
Country: India
Online Casino Users in 2024: 12 million+
Overall Gambling Market Value in 2023: $2.7 billion
Country: South Korea
Online Casino Users in 2024: 878,000+
Overall Gambling Market Value in 2023: $1 billion
India is well ahead of its local Asian competitors in terms of its online gambling popularity and overall gambling market value. Key Asian states like South Korea and Thailand might have had decent player numbers or good industry value, but not both, whereas India excels in both.
Where Can Challenge India for Las Vegas Status?
India will be a force in online betting, but how about its real-world assets? The Indian states that allow casinos to operate freely certainly have room for improvement. Where should India look for inspiration to achieve this?
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
One of Asia’s most Las Vegas-style destinations is the famous Marina Bay Sands casino of the same name. This effortlessly replicates the Las Vegas-style casino experience while combining Asian hospitality. Given its natural beauty where the ocean meets the sand, Goa could try to incorporate a similar structure.
Casinos on the Nile
Gamblers and tourists alike are attracted to the Egyptian capital to observe the natural beauty of the desert sands and the wonder of the pyramids. Then, they play casino games while overlooking the River Nile. Multiple hotels are based in this high-end part of town, such as Ramses Casino, Nile City Casino, and Caesars Cairo.
South Africa’s Sun City Resort
If India wants to become the ultimate Asian destination for gambling, then the authorities should look at the blueprint from Africa. Sun City in the North West province of South Africa has many casinos and luxury activities for its guests. It is seen as an ultimate paradise for the rich and casino-goers. Given the temperatures and climates of places like Goa and Kerala, those states could, in theory, build a thriving resort emulating Sun City.
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