As India prepares measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus, the public stranded at home have moved towards betting money on online games.
Since the announcement of the first National Lockdown, several gaming platforms have seen a sharp rise in the number of customers looking to pass boredom by betting money on games such as poker, rummy, and bingo. Online games involving the exchange of money have also gained traction among many young customers who are challenging their friends and other users to make a quick buck while also enjoying the game.
Prithvi Singh, founder of GamesKraft estimated that his company witnessed a 10-15% increase in the number of registered users since the start of Lockdown up from 2.5 million in early March. GamesKraft is known for its online Rummy, where the platform entry fee starts at Rs 25 and ranges higher depending on the stakes the players put in.
While the popularity of online betting platforms is immense, Indians are also increasingly betting money in casual games among friends and family over video calls or WhatsApp sessions. According to a report, the money factors adds a new flavor to casual games, that might become boring really soon. Even a small bet can make these games more exciting and challenging, helping to interest in these games for a long time period.
Although some might say these small bets are nothing but mere distractions, one must not get addicted to them. Gambling feels innocent till the stakes are low but as soon as stakes rise things get more intense. Some people get hooked to this feeling of thrill and wander off to the point where they keep on adding debt after debt trying to win their way out. Also in India, Gambling on online platforms can land people in legal trouble as gambling or betting is prohibited in various Indian states.
