National, 20 November 2025: Think360.ai, a CAMS company and a leading provider of AI-driven credit-risk analytics, has released a new report revealing that one in every five Indian borrowers engages in real-money gaming. The study highlights a statistically significant link between intensive online gaming and higher credit risk, especially among economically vulnerable segments. While gaming alone does not cause credit delinquency, high-intensity users show increased chances of missed EMIs and greater dependence on short-term credit—factors that amplify financial stress as digital lending and online gaming rapidly expand.
The release of these findings coincides with the recent passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which prohibits money-based online games while promoting e-sports and social gaming. Industry stakeholders are currently aligning operations to the new regulatory environment.
The Think360.ai study analysed 19,966 borrowers earning under ₹6 lakh annually, segmented into salaried and self-employed groups via the company’s Algo360 platform. The data indicates that 22% of salaried and 24% of self-employed borrowers engage in real-money gaming, representing nearly 23% of the total sample.
A significant difference in repayment behaviour emerged between gamers and non-gamers. Thirty-five out of every 100 gaming platform users (35%) missed payments in the next cycle—nearly three times the 12% incidence among non-users. Within gamer groups, self-employed borrowers (38%) showed a higher default risk compared to salaried borrowers (29%).
Amit Das, Founder & CEO, Think360.ai, said:
“Risk-based gaming often signals wider financial instability. Our study shows that borrowers linked to online gaming tend to miss payments, take on unsustainable debt, and are at greater risk of loan default. Thanks to behaviour-driven risk models, lenders can now detect these warning signs early and act to protect both borrowers and financial institutions.”
Key Findings of the Study
• Participation by Segment:
Of 19,966 borrowers, 7,084 (35%) are salaried and 12,882 (65%) are self-employed. Among them, 1,554 salaried (22%) and 3,092 self-employed (24%) borrowers engage in real-money gaming—totalling 4,178 gamers, or about 23% of the sample.
• Missed-Payments Incidence Among Gamers:
456 salaried gamers (29%) and 1,587 self-employed gamers (38%) missed at least one EMI in the next cycle—adding up to 2,044 missed-EMI cases (34%) among all gamers.
• Relative Risk:
Self-employed gamers face a 17% higher risk of missing EMIs compared to salaried gamers, with a relative risk score of 1.17.
• Who Drives Missed Payments:
Self-employed gamers account for 77% of all missed payments (1,587 out of 2,044) despite forming only 65% of the study population.
Implications for Lenders
The report underscores the importance of adopting behaviour-driven credit models that extend beyond traditional scoring. By evaluating spending habits, repayment patterns, and lifestyle indicators—such as participation in real-money gaming—lenders can spot early warning signs of financial stress. Gaming for stakes, though often recreational, may signal deeper vulnerabilities like debt reliance or poor repayment capacity.
Such advanced risk-assessment models can help lenders identify high-risk borrowers more accurately, enabling proactive intervention and improved credit decisions. This is particularly relevant in light of the new online gaming regulations, which are expected to reshape borrower behaviour and industry practices.
About Think360.ai
Think360.ai is a global, full-stack data science and AI-led organisation. In India, the company is transforming lending and credit risk management through advanced technology and deep sectoral expertise. As part of CAMS, Think360.ai provides top-tier underwriting and onboarding solutions to banks, NBFCs, FinTechs, and other financial institutions.
For more information, visit www.think360.ai.
