Experts have hailed the government’s decision to differentiate online gaming from gambling as a progressive step for esports. At an esports event hosted by NMIMS Navi Mumbai with S8UL creators, organizers celebrated Indian talent and encouraged students to engage with industry leaders to explore gaming as a career. Payal Dhare, Gulrez Khan, and Saloni, who are representing India at the Esports World Cup 2025, stressed that while everyone likes money, gambling can destroy homes. They also underlined Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s emphasis on promoting Made-in-India games.
How PM Modi’s Support Is Shaping the Future of Esports in India
The guest creators of S8UL Esports interacted with students, sharing advice on pursuing a career in Esports. When asked about government support and messages for young Indian gamers, Payal Dhare, 2024 Mobile Streamer of the Year, iQOO brand ambassador, and one of India’s most followed creators with four million Instagram followers (@payalgamingg), shared her experience meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Last year, we met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is very keen on Esports. We had a two-hour discussion on content creation, tournaments, and the market. He was especially concerned about Indian developers, asking why games and tournaments aren’t made here. Thanks to him, online gaming has been differentiated from gambling, and strict action is being taken against betting apps. India is embracing Esports, a huge step for the next generation, and we can finally compete internationally.”
She further advised students, “Don’t stick to just one game. Many titles don’t have Indian teams, and there are plenty of individual fighting games like Shadow Fight or PSG. Explore beyond BGMI or Valorant, but if you dedicate one or two years to a game, you can gain money, fame, and make your family proud. This is the right age to study and grind a game simultaneously.”
A new era for esports with policy support and industry collaboration
Saloni, with 206k Instagram followers (@mili_kya_mili), added, “First time, we went for the Esports World Cup, and because of Esports, we have been able to bring up organisations such as S8UL. If the government keeps holding large tournaments, it will be the best way to support the gaming industry, and that is how we will grow. Many people watch gaming content anyway, so if the government promotes esports, people will also take an interest in watching it. So having an audience for Esports won’t be a problem.”
Gulrez Khan, with 1 million YouTube subscribers and 516k Instagram followers (@jokerkihaveli), shared, “Even I was against it (online gambling). I didn’t like those things at all. And you must not have seen any of us ever promote it anywhere on any platform. Look, I know money matters, but if someone’s house is being destroyed by telling something, then we will never do that. We are good influencers. We teach good things every time.”
He further added, “For me, Esports is like cricket in India. If we look at Esports, I think, like Payal said, when she met our Prime Minister, she said that this is her plan, what to do. So, I believe the way things are going, that will also happen. You will see Esports in the stadium one day, hopefully.”
The S8UL Esports’ journey generated tremendous excitement at NMIMS Navi Mumbai Campus. The evening included a Live Watch Party of the Esports World Cup matches at the NMIMS auditorium and an interactive session with the creators.
