Mumbai, August 21, 2025 – In a landmark development for India’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem, Dentsu India and IWMBuzz Media have signed a three-year strategic partnership to jointly host the India Gaming Awards and publish the annual India Gaming Report.

This collaboration signals a long-term commitment to pure-play gaming—a segment focused purely on entertainment and immersive gaming experiences, without monetary stakes.

From One-Off Event to Year-Round Ecosystem

The India Gaming Awards, which made its debut last year, will now transform into a year-round engagement platform. Instead of being limited to an annual event, the awards will foster ongoing dialogue between developers, gamers, policymakers, and brands, helping the industry sustain momentum.

Similarly, the India Gaming Report, which gained recognition in its inaugural edition for providing critical insights, will now expand in scope. The report will track:
– Evolving consumer behavior among India’s 13.85 crore gamers
– Monetization models and future revenue streams
– Cultural and societal shifts shaped by gaming adoption
– Policy and regulatory debates that impact industry growth

Why This Matters: India’s Gaming Boom

India has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s largest gaming markets, thanks to:
– Mobile-first adoption – A majority of players engage through smartphones.
– Widespread penetration in Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities – Expanding the gamer base beyond metros.
– Explosive growth – The industry is valued at ₹6,715 crore and is growing at a 24% CAGR.

The shift towards pure-play gaming comes at a crucial time, especially as the recently proposed Online Gaming Bill 2025 seeks to regulate and ban money-based gaming formats. This makes Dentsu and IWMBuzz’s focus on skill, entertainment, and culture-driven gaming even more significant.

Leaders Speak: A Vision for India’s Gaming Future

Harsha Razdan, CEO – South Asia, Dentsu:
“Gaming is the most dynamic cultural and economic force shaping India’s youth and Bharat’s heartland today. This partnership with IWMBuzz is not just about awards or reports—it is about building the foundation for an industry that can rival the best in the world.”

Narayan Devanathan, President & CSO – South Asia, Dentsu:
“The India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report are catalysts. They will help shift the conversation from ‘gaming is growing’ to ‘gaming is defining India’s future’.”

Siddhartha Laik, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, IWMBuzz Media:
“With Dentsu’s scale, data, and cultural insight, we are not just recognizing excellence—we are building platforms and narratives that will inspire the next wave of gamers, developers, and innovators.”

Implications for Stakeholders

– For Developers & Publishers: Greater visibility for talent, innovation, and storytelling.
– For Brands & Marketers: Deeper insights into gaming culture for effective campaigns.
– For Policymakers: A platform to engage with industry leaders and shape regulations.
– For Gamers: A celebration of gaming as culture, not just as an activity.

Conclusion

The Dentsu–IWMBuzz partnership is more than a business alliance—it is a cultural intervention. By investing in awards, research, and year-round engagement, the collaboration aims to position India as a global gaming powerhouse.

As the Online Gaming Bill 2025 threatens money-based formats, this move strengthens the narrative of pure-play gaming as the future of Indian gaming. With 13.85 crore gamers and exponential growth, India stands at the cusp of a gaming revolution—one that celebrates creativity, community, and culture.

FAQ’s

Q1. What is the significance of the Dentsu India–IWMBuzz partnership?
The three-year partnership strengthens the India Gaming Awards and India Gaming Report, promoting pure-play gaming and shaping the growth of the Indian gaming industry.

Q2. What is pure-play gaming in India?
Pure-play gaming refers to entertainment-driven games without monetary stakes, focusing on skill, creativity, and community rather than gambling or betting.

Q3. How will the India Gaming Awards 2025 evolve under this partnership?
The awards will expand from a one-time event to a year-round engagement platform for developers, gamers, policymakers, and brands.

Q4. Why is the India Gaming Report 2025 important?
The India Gaming Report provides insights on gamer demographics, monetization models, policy debates, and cultural trends shaping the Indian gaming ecosystem.

Q5. How does this partnership align with the Online Gaming Bill 2025?
As the bill bans money-based gaming, the Dentsu–IWMBuzz collaboration focuses on pure-play gaming, ensuring sustainable growth for the industry.