India’s poker scene is booming! So is it time for you to get a slice of the action? Setting up your own online poker company isn’t as difficult as you might think.
The value of the gaming industry in India sits around 90 billion Indian rupees for 2020. It is estimated that by 2022 this will rise to 143 billion rupees. This is roughly $19,235,553.48 USD.
The analysis goes on to state that this could create up to 40 thousand adventure games.
One of the main contributors to the growth of online poker is access to mobile technology.
The mobile phone is the preferred gaming method for new online poker players, and by 2022 it is projected to hit $405 million USD—a massive increase from 2016, where the market was estimated to be $266 million dollars.
The most popular card games in India
Every country has several games that people play for money or to pass the time. Card games are often an integral part of the culture.
They are used to spend time in family groups, knowledge and play styles are passed down from older players to younger ones.
Rummy
One of the oldest and most popular games played in India. Played with a 52-deck and with up to six players. In a pick-up and discard game, you create sets and hands.
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Solitaire
One of the most popular games in India is a solo card game. Cards are face down and flipped and sorted in a sequence and were one of the first to make it to a computer.
Poker
Poker has increased in popularity and is now one of the most played games in India – both online and in person. Poker has now made it online, and millions of the residents of India enjoy playing via mobile.
Now you know the most popular games and the trajectory of online poker in India, it’s time to lay the foundations for your online poker business.
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The more you understand how and what people play, the deeper you will be able to delve into your audience demographics and offer the right poker options.
Knowledge will allow you to expand your offerings over time and shows you understand the audience.
The Fundamentals of Setting Up An Online Poker Business
Setting up a business will follow a standard path in most cases. You’ll need business plans, plenty of finance, and time to get it off the ground.
Need help with your business plan? Check out our article: How to Write a Startup Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
So what’s next?
Your USP
What is going to set you apart from the competition? What can you bring to your players that other online poker companies can’t?
Spend time researching what people enjoy when they are playing online.
Prepare for the future:
3D – 3D poker is something we might see happen in the future, depending on the technology advancements.
Mobile – A full mobile app is an essential part of online poker success in India
VR – Creating a poker room game that feels real but from the comfort of home
Bitcoin – preparing for using bitcoin as a form of payment and winnings
Research
During your research, you should pay attention to the following:
- Gain a deep understanding of your market. You can use Statista, Nielsen, Kantar, GfK and more.
- Identify your main competitors; Crunchbase is ideal for this. It highlights competitors you may not have considered.
- Read online reviews, and look at what people don’t like – so you can improve on what people are already doing.
- SpyFu, SEMRush, and Ahrefs can give you critical insights into keyword usages, purchases, and rankings. This research enables you to improve your SEO.
- One of the best ways to get a feel for the process that customers enjoy is to play on some of the websites and use the apps yourself.
Promotion and Bonuses
One of the most enjoyable things for customers is the ability to enjoy promotions and bonuses. Therefore, carefully consider how you will entice new players or reward loyalty.
888 poker is an excellent example of promotions and bonuses that keep players coming back.
Most Popular Promotions & Bonus are:-
- 50-200% deposit match
- Free slots
- Loyalty points and bonus
- Private VIP rooms for regular players
- Rooms for free, new players
Offering promotions and bonuses will be a critical tool used in your marketing and player retention.
Licensing & Registrations
Your main goal as an online poker platform is to deliver the best gaming experience to your customers. To do that, you need to operate within the law of the country you intend to serve.
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Online poker is legal in most states in India, but it is up to you to ensure you have the proper licenses and registrations. Read an in-depth guide to the state laws for each type of gambling and how to apply for specific licenses: India: Gambling Laws and Regulations 2021
Software
One of your highest costs is going to be the software. You are free to choose to have a custom-built platform or a white label poker skin.
A white label poker skin is the easiest option, but the downside is that it might look and feel like many other online poker websites.
A custom platform can be more expensive but will give you a unique look.
If you opt for the custom route, it is essential that you have enough in your finance to see it through to completion. A well-built site is a beautiful thing, but it comes at a price.
Remember that you will need to have a secure payment processing system.
Team
Although most small businesses can be started solo, an online casino is a big undertaking. A team that is on your side will make the process smoother and allow you to run the primary operations.
Here are a few team members that you might consider:
- Customer services
- Social Media management
- Marketing and Advertising
- Website developer or IT support
Your primary duty will be to ensure that players have access to their account, the games they enjoy, and support from customer services if they should need it.
Your marketing and advertising department will be the ones who are enticing new players and maybe one of the most influential teams in the start-up of your online poker website.
The road to launching your online poker business will be an exciting one, but it’s the right time to take the initiative with the massive predicted market growth.
