Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is making a significant investment in India’s rapidly growing gaming industry. Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head of Meta India, stated that the country is on track to become a global gaming leader, with an estimated 700 million gamers expected by 2028.
At the Indian Gaming Convention 2024, Devanathan expressed that Meta aims to bolster India’s gaming sector by supporting the entire ecosystem, which includes developers, creators, brands, and startups.
In an interview, she remarked, “India is a crucial element of Meta’s global gaming strategy, and we are dedicated to promoting innovation and development within the local developer community. Our goal is to empower the gaming landscape in India through platforms like Facebook Gaming and Instagram, enabling creators to connect with their audiences and effectively monetize their content.”
While discussing the company’s initiatives to empower developers and the wider gaming ecosystem, Devanathan highlighted the significant influence gaming has on consumer behavior and its substantial economic potential. She noted that the growth of the gaming sector could lead to major economic opportunities.
Rapid Growth of Gaming in India
“India has the potential to evolve into an $8 trillion economy soon, with $1 trillion coming from digital initiatives, including gaming,” Devanathan stated. She added, “The Indian gaming market is set for tremendous growth, and we aim to be part of that journey by equipping developers and creators with the necessary tools for success.”
She also pointed out the ecosystem’s potential to create around 300,000 jobs. “Advertising is essential for creators and developers to expand their businesses, particularly in markets like India. Our platforms offer the tools required to connect with a global audience and grow sustainably through effective monetization.”
With 200 billion reels viewed daily and 200 million people engaging in online shopping in India, she highlighted the significant user engagement on Meta’s platforms. She further noted that this level of engagement demonstrates how gaming is increasingly becoming a fundamental part of the country’s digital lifestyle and economy.
We will continue to observe how online casinos are involved in this development.