The online gaming industry in Asia is a huge business, literally. With more than half the population living in the region, eSports, gambling and MMORPGs are typical ways these citizens pass their time. With mounting demands from consumers to expand these markets, online gaming has made a significant impact on the lives of Asian citizens, as well as an even larger impact on government regulation. Each country has been impacted in separate ways. Here are a few countries in Asia that have been affected by the rising popularity of online gaming.
India
The digital gaming industry is growing rapidly in India and is currently one of the top five countries in the world that prefer to spend their time online. The industry is said to reach a whopping $890 million by 2020. The popularity of online gaming is likely due to the recent easy access to smartphones and the internet. India recently expanded its internet coverage to rural areas, and more people online means a more significant, more profitable gaming industry. Despite India being primarily a Hindu country, you can play certain online gambling games. One online casino brand open to Indian players is Casumo online casino.
China
Online gaming in China is one of the largest and fastest-growing businesses in the world. There are over 457 million internet users active in China, and over two-thirds of that numbered figure engages in online games like League of Legend and MMOs. The popularity can be attributed to multiple factors. First, most of the large gaming companies are situated in China, making access easier to its citizens.
Second, the gaming demographic is mostly made up of 18 to 30-year-olds. This age demographic is more likely to struggle financially and are thus more likely to spend time at inexpensive gaming cafes to pass the time. China’s population is also in the billions, making the likelihood of youth adopting gaming to be higher. Despite multiple attempts to make strict legislation to stomp out gaming addiction, online gaming in China remains active to this day and is prospected to grow in the future.
South Korea
South Korea has the 4th largest online gaming market in the world despite the country having a poor start. Regulations in South Korea have recently relaxed, but gaming used to be highly regulated, they even rejected imported games from other countries for decades. The success of gaming is most attributed to gaming being a social act.
It’s common for Koreans to go to each other’s houses or internet cafes and bond over their favourite game. eSPorts is massively popular as well, so watching others play video games is just as common as watching the football game in America. Video game addiction is also a problem, as well. The Government of South Korea has attempted to fix this situation by putting the legislation back onto gaming.
Singapore
Although online video games aren’t that popular in Singapore, the country has a history with online betting legislation. Online gambling was outlawed in 2014 but was made legal for local Singapore Turf Clubs and Singapore Pools in 2016. If you gamble from other betting sites or local bookies, you could receive a fine of up to $5,000, and 6 months in jail.
Gambling in Singapore still remains popular despite these regulations. The government allowed gambling to the public because they were afraid of creating an underground gambling ring.
Philippines
Online gambling is incredibly popular in the Philippines; they even have a distinct gambling section in the government called the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Online gambling is considered safe for players, as the PAGCOR operates and owns most of the online casinos in the country.
The online gambling industry has done wonders for the Philippine economy, as the overall gaming market reached over 3 billion dollars since 2017.
