Technology and digitization have creeped their way into the sports like in every other sector. Digital gaming became a rage in this country over two and a half decades ago. Today, every Indian has access to all kinds of games at their fingertips. Portability of gadgets became an added benefit for gamification in this age of smart technology.

Indian consumers largely consume three genres of gaming namely puzzle, action and adventure. Popular puzzle games include solution-based Candy Crush and Dots. One of the classic examples of action games is Minecraft which involves activities like exploration and resource-gathering. The player assumes a role of a protagonist in a story-driven virtual dystopia. The Secret of Monkey Island and King’s Quest VI are one of the well known adventure games mostly played on the computer.

It is paramount to analyse the user base ready to consume to games on the internet platforms. Optimized internet accessibility and smartphones available at an affordable price, have substantially contributed towards the upsurge of consumers. They indulge in three types of gaming:

• Real Money Games

They involve gambling, guessing and several times even depend random computerization. A few good examples would be Rummy, Poker and Quiz games.

• Mobile-centric or Casual Gaming

Such games are designed to play on small-screen and do not involve complicated functions. Subway Surfers, Temple Run and Candy Crush are mostly played on mobile phones.

• E-sports

E-sports are multiplayer and more animated. They have several functions and titles as rewards. PUBG, FIFA and Counterstrike are popular examples of E-sports.

Gamification refers to the process of inserting gaming mechanisms to a non-gaming environment. Drawing a relative comparison and investigating various aspects of Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting which are the primary arenas where gamification is thriving.

• FANTASY SPORTS

Fantasy sports is a form of skill-based gaming where sports enthusiasts can create their own teams and abide by the non-virtual rules and regulations of the game. Games like kabaddi, football, cricket and many more have been gamified to satiate the need for competitive environment on screens.

The format of Fantasy Sports Gaming is as follows:

1. The participants choose their team online which consists of the same number of players that are required in the real-life game.
2. In order to commence the fantasy sports game, all the real-life players participating need to be present online.
3. The duration of the fantasy sports game should at least be the same as the real-life game.

The rising digital infrastructure acts as a primary enabler of such sports across various platforms. Sports leagues have encouraged the enthusiasts to indulge in various sports locally and in the virtual world. Fantasy gaming is predominantly skill-based as it involves actions intrinsic to the game and depends on game skills rather than chance or luck. In Fantasy Gaming, virtual goods are purchased with financial records available and accessible at any given time. User interests are absolutely protected. There is also no scope for corruption in this type of gaming as it hardly ever affects the end result.

• SPORTS BETTING

Betting and gambling are strictly regulated and governed by the legal authorities. Although strictly prohibited, people engage in gambling and sports betting. Following are a few focal motivators of Sports Betting:

1. People begin betting to gain lofty amounts within a short period of time to cover losses incurred. This becomes a habit and then a vicious circle.
2. The risk-taking factor also often lures the public into betting games. Higher the value, more the risk.
3. Networking is one of the overlooked motivators of online betting. When people establish social connect with rich and important people in this dirty business, they become powerful.
4. The rich folks like to flash their money and bet out of pleasure. They do not mind losing bets. A win is, in fact, a matter of pride for them

Sports Betting primarily functions on the luck factor and is completely randomized by computer software. Although, it can be alluded that it requires the skill of estimation to win. Sports Betting operates in grey market with no restrictions imposed. It has no age limit which can result to serious consequences. Malfeasance is possible in the form of match-fixing which has a huge impact.

In India, gamification of sports is yet to reach its pinnacle. Nevertheless, the online gaming enthusiasts and developers are actively joining forces to make it happen.