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Omnichannel

Instant Intelligence: Why gaming is India’s next big ad play

New data shows that 74% of Indians play games every week and over half play daily.

Illustration of a game controller, joystick, smartphone, and TV screen representing gaming across devices.

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India’s digital audience is vast, but fragmented. Reaching them effectively requires choosing the right channels and delivering consistent messaging where they spend the most time. New research from The Trade Desk Intelligence reveals that gaming is now firmly in that mix, combining massive reach with immersive, high-attention ad experiences that boost recall and brand image. 

With 74% of Indian consumers playing games weekly and 51% playing daily, this channel offers advertisers a way to connect with audiences in moments of focussed engagement. In fact, 70% of consumers state that they are more likely to remember brands that advertise across multiple channels, with 66% insisting that they feel more positive toward those that deliver consistent messages. 

What we found: In partnership with PA Consulting, The Trade Desk Intelligence surveyed 2,000 Indian adults aged 18+ between January and March 2025. Our findings demonstrate that a majority of consumers play daily and are receptive to brand messaging while doing so — particularly when they are offered a reward for their attention, with data showing the region’s millennial and Gen Z audiences to be most receptive:

%
of millennial Indians are open to ads in exchange for in-game rewards
%
of millennials and Gen Z play games on their phones or consoles weekly
%
of gamers overall are open to ads in exchange for in-game rewards

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What it means: For advertisers in India, gaming represents a mass-reach environment with deeply engaged audiences. Including gaming in omnichannel plans can extend reach, maintain frequency without oversaturation, and build brand affinity through rewarding, immersive formats. With nearly half a billion gamers in India (a figure projected to reach 517 million by the end of 2025), brands that level up their omnichannel strategies to include gaming will be best positioned to capture attention and drive outcomes.

Source:
1. The Trade Desk Intelligence and PA Consulting, The Untapped Opportunity of Omnichannel, India, August 2025.