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Esports to make its mark at Khelo India Youth Games 2025 with BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball

Featuring titles that span mobile, console, and strategy-based formats like chess, the esports lineup at KIYG 2025 reflects a deliberate effort to cater to diverse gaming audiences. This move also signals a broader national recognition of esports as a legitimate sporting pursuit, on par with traditional disciplines, a direction that India has been moving toward with increased pace.
While BGMI remains the most popular esports title in India, Chess stands out as a particularly noteworthy addition to KIYG 2025. Once considered a purely traditional sport, Chess has increasingly found a home in the esports world, most recently as part of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, which boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million (INR 12.6 crore) for the title. NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asiaâs esports and gaming ecosystem, has been one of the pioneers of this shift in India. In 2021, the company organised the Chess Super League, featuring national and international stars and also hosted Chess tournaments at DreamHack India 2024 across rapid and blitz formats.
âThe inclusion of titles like BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 signals a big step forward for grassroots esports in India,â says Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming. âItâs encouraging to see esports standing shoulder to shoulder with traditional sports, and the addition of Chess â bridging classical and digital strategy shows how in tune this initiative is with global trends. But this isnât just about tournaments. Itâs about creating real opportunities to discover talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, places that have been overlooked for too long, thus building the foundation for a future where Indian gamers donât just participate, they dominate on the world stage.â
Further underscoring the growing stature of Indian Chess in esports, S8UL, a global force in esports and gaming content, has signed Grandmasters Aravindh Chithambaram and Nihal Sarin to compete at the EWC 2025. In addition to Chess, S8UL will also field players in Street Fighter 6, as well as EAFC25, Call of Duty Warzone, Tekken 8, and Apex Legends at the prestigious tournament.
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL believes that the inclusion of titles like Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball console in KIYG 2025 reflects a thoughtful push to diversify beyond mobile gaming and build a more well-rounded competitive ecosystem. âIt is especially encouraging to see Street Fighter 6 and Chess recognised through a government-led initiative, at a time when S8UL will be representing India in these very titles at the upcoming Esports World Cup. This development is crucial for identifying and nurturing talent across a range of platforms and genres from the grassroots level.  Such proactive support from the authorities is a strong indicator of the growing legitimacy of esports in India and a positive sign for the industryâs future,â he adds.
The roots of esports entering the mainstream have already been visible across various states. Before its inclusion in KIYG 2025, the state of Bihar actively embraced the esports movement by organising the Bihar State Esports Open Championship and the Bihar Inter School and College Esports Championship over the past year. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also taken proactive steps to support and formalise grassroots esports programs.
Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder & Tech Lead, Dirtcube Interactive LLP remarked, âIncluding esports in the Khelo India Youth Games is a practical step toward building a grassroots ecosystem for new-age sports. We believe that through this program, weâll soon see national esports heroes rise from across the country and bolster Indiaâs representation on the global stage. With this being the inaugural season, we envision having Made-in-India esports-based games be part of KIYGâs future seasons.â
With S8UL participating in Chess and Street Fighter at the EWC 2025, India has already been making waves on the international stage in eFootball, with Pavan Kampelli winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Esports Games in Bangkok.
Esports will be an official medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, and the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is scheduled to debut in 2027. These developments mark a global shift toward legitimising esports within mainstream sporting culture.
KIYG 2025 featuring esports will help identify, nurture, and empower gaming talent from the ground up. With both state and national bodies supporting the push, the future of Indian esports looks brighter than ever.
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Atlaslive Analysis: European Gambling Market Enters âŹ123.4 Billion Digital-First Era

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Atlaslive, a premier iGaming platform provider, today released a comprehensive analysis of the European gambling market transformation, revealing that the industryâs âŹ123.4 billion revenue base is undergoing unprecedented digital evolution. The analysis, based on latest market intelligence from European Gaming & Betting Association in partnership with H2 Gambling Capital, identifies mobile gaming as the dominant force reshaping player engagement across the continent.
Mobile Revolution Drives Market Transformation
Atlasliveâs analysis reveals that mobile devices now generate 58% of Europeâs online gambling revenue in 2024, with projections indicating this figure will surge to 67% by 2029. This mobile-first transformation represents a fundamental shift in how operators must approach platform development and player acquisition strategies.
âThe data unequivocally demonstrates that the future of European gambling is mobile-first,â said Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive. âOperators who fail to prioritize mobile optimization and user experience will find themselves increasingly marginalized in a market where player expectations have fundamentally evolved.â
Online Gambling Accelerates Toward 45% Market Share
The analysis identifies online gambling as the clear growth engine of the European market, with digital channels expected to command 45% of total gambling revenue by 2029, up from 39% in 2024. This âŹ66.8 billion online market projection represents a 6.9% compound annual growth rate, significantly outpacing the 1.8% growth expected in land-based gambling.
Key growth drivers identified by Atlaslive include:
- Casino games leading digital adoption: âŹ21.5 billion in 2024, growing to âŹ30.8 billion by 2029
- Sports betting momentum: âŹ13.7 billion online revenue with 6.9% annual growth trajectory
- Lottery digital transformation: Strongest growth potential at 7.7% annually, reaching âŹ10.4 billion by 2029
Geographic Disparities Signal Untapped Opportunities
Country-by-country analysis reveals significant market maturity variations across Europe, presenting strategic opportunities for technology providers and operators.
Digital Leaders:
- Sweden: 68.3% online share
- Finland and Denmark: Both at 68.1% online share
- Strong mobile adoption and regulatory frameworks driving digital-first engagement
Growth Markets:
- Italy: Europeâs largest market at âŹ21.0 billion with only 21.7% online penetration
- Germany: âŹ14.4 billion market with 22.6% online share indicating substantial digital expansion potential
- France: âŹ14.0 billion market with significant room for online growth
Strategic Implications for Industry Stakeholders
The Atlaslive analysis identifies several critical success factors for market participants:
For Operators:
- Mobile-native platform architecture becomes non-negotiable
- Omnichannel integration essential for capturing cross-platform player value
- Geographic expansion strategies should prioritize markets with low online penetration
For Technology Providers:
- Platform scalability must accommodate sustained high-growth environments
- Cross-jurisdictional compliance capabilities increasingly valuable
- Mobile-first development methodologies essential for competitive positioning
Market Resilience Demonstrates Industry Maturity
Despite digital transformation, analysis confirms the continued relevance of land-based gambling, which maintains âŹ75.5 billion in 2024 revenue and projects steady 1.8% annual growth. This dual-track evolution demonstrates industry maturity and the enduring appeal of gambling experiences.
âThe European gambling market is demonstrating remarkable sophistication in its evolution,â added Anastasiia Poltavets. âRather than simple digital displacement, weâre witnessing the emergence of a truly integrated ecosystem where online and land-based channels complement and enhance each other.â
To explore the full report, regional breakdowns, and strategic insights for 2025 and beyond, visit: https://atlaslive.tech/blog/the-european-gambling-revolution-euro1234-billion-market-transforms-in-the-digital-age.
This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive, formerly known as Atlas-IAC, underwent a rebranding campaign in May 2024. It is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
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Clarion to introduce ICE Research Institute to industry opinion-formers as part of AI presentation at Gaming In Spain conference

A senior Clarion Gaming team led by Director of Industry Insight and Engagement, Ewa Bakun has been invited to speak at the Gaming in Spain conference, organised by Willem van Oort and taking place in Madrid on 26 June.
The presentation which will also see contributions from Clarion Gamingâs Liliana Costa, has the working title AI on ICE â cooperating with the Spanish and global research institutions to understand the impacts of Artificial Intelligence in the sector.
Looking ahead to the event Ewa Bakun said: âThe invitation to speak at Gaming In Spain provides a perfect environment to officially introduce the ICE Research Institute which as part of its remit is funding academic exploration of AI ethics and applications in the gambling sector.
âAs part of the relocation of ICE from London to Barcelona, Clarion Gaming together with Fira Barcelona have agreed a programme of collaboration with the objective of building a legacy which goes beyond the very significant economic impact of staging the worldâs biggest gambling technology show in the city.
âAn annual investment fund has been allocated with the ICE Research Institute (IRI) offering grants to scientific and academic institutions to fund research on prevention and sustainability.
âThe IRI is investing in research that generates hard data and provides a robust scientific base to inform decision making. Working closely with institutional stakeholders both in Spain and on the international stage the ICE Research Institute will promote cross-border scientific cooperation to ensure the ethical adoption of AI in the gambling industry.â
Gaming in Spain founder Willem van Oort, creator of the successful Gaming in Holland and Gaming in Germany communities said: âGaming In Spain provides essential business intelligence on the Spanish iGaming market and I am delighted to be able to include Ewa and colleagues from Clarion Gaming to provide an update on the work thatâs being undertaken by the ICE Research Institute.
âThe vision is to foster closer cooperation between research institutions and the industry resulting in evidence-based decisions and debates. The ethical adoption of AI in gambling is arguably one of the most contentious and topical debates impacting the industry and I am looking forward to learn more about the pioneering work being supported by the ICE Research Institute as part of the ICE Legacy Project.â
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96% of SPFL players know where to find support for gambling issues after EPIC and William Hill sessions

A survey of SPFL players that attended the competitionâs new gambling harm prevention education programme has shown that 96% of players are now confident that they know where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, thanks to the knowledge provided to them as part of William Hillâs first season as title sponsors.
With the intention of ensuring that players and staff across all four divisions understand the importance of safer gambling, the programme has reached nearly 800 players and a further 160 staff members, as 37 clubs hosted talks during the 2024/25 season from two former professional footballers with their own past issues of gambling-related harm to share.
The two ex-pros â former Wales U21 and Wrexham striker Marc Williams and Scotland-capped former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo â were seconded to clubs by EPIC Global Solutions; leaders in gambling harm prevention whose client base includes all 72 EFL clubs, MLB teams and the vast NCAA college sports network.
As a result of the sessions, alongside virtually every player now knowing where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, 93% confirmed they now have a good or excellent level of awareness of professional athletesâ vulnerability to harmful gambling â an increase from 70% having that level of knowledge before the session.
The same post-session figure â 93% â also believed they had a good or excellent level of awareness around gambling and professional integrity, which rose from 74% before the session.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: âThese figures show the real impact that EPICâs gambling harm awareness programme has had with SPFL clubs and its players, which is great to see.
âWeâve had extremely positive feedback from our members on how informative the sessions have been and itâs excellent it has reached so many players and staff members across our game in its first season.
âWeâre proud to continue to support this partnership alongside William Hill and look forward to seeing it develop further in the seasons ahead.â
Among the players to take part in the series of talks was Hibernianâs Kieron Bowie, who made his Scotland debut in Mondayâs 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. Speaking after hearing how Marc Williamsâ professional career was affected by issues with problem gambling, he admitted:
âIn this industry, obviously you have a lot of free time; youâre in hotels overnight or youâre away on international duty and youâre left to your own devices, doing whatever on your phone. Itâs easy to get roped into that, especially in this environment where thereâs a lot of gambling, like cards on the buses and all that sort of stuff, so itâs easily done. Â
âI think seeing what he went through just reassures that thatâs not the path you want to go down.â
The education programme will continue for a second season in 2025/26, with a focus on extending the audience to include SPFL clubsâ academies and womenâs squads, as well as engaging with community trusts and supporter groups to ensure the message is also accessible to fans of all 42 clubs.
Per Widerstrom, CEO of evoke, the parent group of William Hill, said: âThe education programme is a fundamental element of our sponsorship. Itâs really important that we balance the passion of players and fans with gambling responsibly, and I am delighted to see such good progress made during our first year of sponsorship.Â
âWe now look forward to next season and extending the programme to academies, womenâs squads and supportersâ
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