From Risk to Resilience: The role of Digital Trust in India’s gaming revolution

The Indian gaming industry is on the path to a steady growth despite several challenges, and rightly, holds the potential to become a dominant force on the global stage. This growth is driven by a powerful mix of factors, including a digitally savvy young population, widespread access to affordable mobile data and a flourishing start-up ecosystem. India’s online gaming industry is projected to double to Rs 66,000 crore by 2028, potentially generating 2 to 3 lakh new jobs in the coming years. The online gaming sector is expected to expand from $4.04 billion in 2025 to $8.36 billion by 2030, reflecting a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.68%. As millions of users engage in gaming platforms daily, ensuring digital trust has become a critical necessity for sustained industry growth.
Emerging Risks and Challenges
The exponential rise of online gaming has also introduced significant challenges, including financial fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, cybersecurity threats and ghost users. In response, regulatory authorities have taken decisive steps to mitigate these risks. In April 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) amended IT rules to introduce a co-regulatory approach, mandating self-regulatory bodies (SRBs) to certify permissible real-money games. However, building a truly resilient and secure gaming ecosystem requires continuous innovation in digital trust measures.
The Role of Transparency and Responsible Gaming
To maintain trust and encourage responsible gaming, platforms must integrate solid safety measures such as exit features, participation limits and real-time monitoring. The adoption of AI-driven fraud detection systems and blockchain-based solutions can enhance cybersecurity, prevent identity theft and ensure fair play. Implementing digital trust mechanisms not only protects players but also strengthens the credibility of the industry, paving the way for long-term sustainability.
Enhancing Player Onboarding with Digital Trust
A seamless and secure onboarding process is crucial for gaming platforms to retain and engage players while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. Several key strategies can be implemented to optimise this process:
Automated KYC Verification: Automating Know Your Customer (KYC) processes can expedite registration, reduce manual errors, and enhance security without compromising user experience.
Location and Age Verification: While legally mandatory, fraudsters often bypass these checks using proxy-location apps. Gaming platforms can combat this by implementing anti-GPS spoofing solutions to ensure accurate and verified location data.
OCR and Facial Recognition: Leveraging Facial Recognition and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) that can effectively verify player identities and detect fraudulent documents in real-time.
Continuous Monitoring: Gaming companies should periodically re-verify player credentials after a significant gap to maintain authenticity and prevent fraud.
Minimising Friction: Simplified registration forms, clear guidance for document uploads, and an intuitive user interface can ensure a hassle-free onboarding journey.
This goes without saying—maintaining a customer-first approach through regular evaluation of the onboarding experience, leveraging player feedback and data analytics, helps identify bottlenecks and optimize the process to meet user expectations.
Economic Potential and Global Competitiveness
With the right regulatory backing and technological advancements, India’s gaming industry has the potential to evolve into a global powerhouse. By developing world-class gaming experiences and ensuring digital trust, India can position itself as a leader in the digital economy. A secure and transparent gaming ecosystem will not only protect players but also attract investments, fostering innovation and employment opportunities in the sector.
As India’s online gaming industry continues to grow, the role of digital trust in ensuring security, compliance, and user confidence cannot be overstated. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, streamlining onboarding processes and reinforcing responsible gaming practices, the industry can transition from risk to resilience. A proactive approach to digital trust will be instrumental in shaping the future of gaming in India, enabling it to thrive both domestically and on the global stage.
-- Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO, AuthBridge