India is one of the most famous countries in the world with a rich and interesting history. Gambling has been a part of its culture for many centuries. It is mentioned even in such ancient texts as Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Indians love to play games, and the growth of the Internet gambling industry has aroused their intense interest in all the rich opportunities to have a great time that such activities offer.
With the systematic development of online gambling in India, the influence of the country’s cultural traditions on the online casino experience is also growing. There is a lot of evidence for this, which we will tell you about on this page.
Themes and Symbols
The first thing we need to tell you about is the integration of Indian plots and symbols into the gameplay and design of gambling amusements. It is logical that with the development of the online iGaming industry and the arrival of multiple eminent brands on the local market, developers began to release games focused on local folks. Numerous operators offer games that relate to Indian mythology, history or culture. Say, in the portfolio of online casinos, you can find variations of roulette, which uses Indian symbols in the form of an elephant and a lotus.
A very large selection of Indian-themed games can be found in such a category as slots. Local punters love this popular amusement, accessible in various old-school and modern types. It was a matter of time for such Indian-theme slots to appear on the market as:
- Ganesha Gold (PG Soft);
- Bollywood Bonanza (888 Gaming);
- Divine Dream (Quickspin);
- Pearls of India (Play’n GO);
- Path of Destiny (Red Tiger);
- Durga (Endorphina);
- Bollywood Story (NetEnt);
- Tiger Stone (Booongo);
- Jewels of the Orient (Microgaming);
- Shangri La (NextGen), etc.
The use of Indian plots and symbols in gambling amusements contributes to creating a more authentic and immersive experience for Indian players. It also helps to promote a sense of cultural pride and identity.
Read about Prospects for online casinos.
Indian Gambling Traditions in Online Casinos
The growth of online gambling has led not only to the fact that Indian plots and symbols have been utilized in creation of amusements, but also to the spread and growth of popularity of traditional Indian games. Here are some great examples of such titles:
- Andar Bahar. This ancient card entertainment with simple rules involves making a stake on one of the two sides of the game table (Andar or Bahar). After that, the dealer begins to lay out cards in turn in each of the zones, until a card corresponding to the ‘joker’ card laid out before placing bets appears on the table;
- Teen Patti. This game is often called Indian Poker. The challenge is to complete the game session with the best hand consisting of three cards, or to remain the last player at the table. Teen Patti has many types, say, 2-3-5, AK47, Joker and Muflis;
- Rummy. Another card amusement. It is enjoyed by 2 to 6 people. Depending on the number of participants, each of them has a certain number of cards (the fewer players, the more cards they get). The goal of the game is to get rid of all the cards before the opponents do it (you can mend, lay off, and discard cards). After that, the value of the cards from the other players is calculated and added to the account after the previous rounds;
- Jhandi Munda. This traditional Indian game is played with six six-sided dice, which depict the following symbols: Heart, Spade, Diamond, Club, Face and Flag. Players must make a stake on which symbol will fall out more often, after which the dice will begin to be thrown on the table. The characteristics of Jhandi Munda are catchy gameplay and high RTP (97.14%).
Each of the amusements listed above helps punters not only to have a great time claiming big winnings, but also promotes Indian culture in various parts of the world.
Marketing of Online Casinos to Indian Punters
Another aspect of online gambling in which Indian culture is viewed is marketing. Multiple online casinos invite Indian celebrities and models as ambassadors for advertising campaigns. Such campaigns also used traditional cultural symbols of India, for example, an elephant and a lotus. Through marketing, the goal of reaching a wider Indian audience is achieved. It also helps to create a sense of familiarity and trust.
The Future of Indian Online Gaming
Guided by our experience, we can predict the rapid development of the online gambling industry in India. This is facilitated by the country’s large and growing population, combined with its growing internet penetration. Due to the fact that more and more locals are getting acquainted with online gambling, it should be expected that more and more casinos will integrate cultural elements of India into their amusements and marketing materials. Ultimately, this will contribute to an even greater legitimation of the industry and attract even more people to the game.
Conclusion
The rich and ancient history of India has a well-developed gambling component. Locals love to enjoy different games, and the growth of the Internet casino industry has provided them with 24/7 access to amusements of various genres. There are more and more games inspired by Indian culture in the compilations of gambling operators legally working in their homeland. Also, such brands actively promote Indian culture with the help of traditional games of this country and marketing materials with the involvement of local celebrities. There are many reasons to believe that this trend will continue, and more punters from different parts of the globe will be able to get acquainted with the richness of Indian history and culture, thanks to gambling.