What if playing your favorite game could actually become your full-time job—and potentially earn you lakhs every month? That is no longer a fantasy for India’s biggest gaming creators and esports stars.
But there is an interesting catch: not every gamer is making crores. The big money is concentrated among the biggest names, and their earning models differ significantly. So, how much do India’s top gamers actually make? As per media reports and available industry estimates, here’s a look inside the money game.
Scout
Tanmay Singh, popularly known as Scout, is one of the biggest names to emerge from India’s esports scene. From competitive gaming to livestreaming and brand collaborations, Scout has turned his gaming popularity into a full-fledged career.
As per recent media reports citing industry estimates, Scout earns around ₹1 crore annually. His income can come from esports, streaming, sponsorships, YouTube, and other commercial partnerships. Earlier reports have also highlighted the possibility of top gaming stars earning ₹30–40 lakh in a particularly successful month, showing just how dramatically gaming income can fluctuate. These figures are estimates, not a fixed salary.
Jonathan Gaming
If BGMI has a superstar list, Jonathan Amaral, better known as Jonathan Gaming, is impossible to leave out. Known for his competitive skills and massive online following, Jonathan has become one of India’s most recognized esports players.
As per recent media reports, Jonathan’s annual earnings are estimated at around ₹1 crore. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a fixed salary of ₹8–9 lakh every month. His earning potential comes from esports, tournament winnings, streaming, YouTube, sponsorships and brand collaborations. Earlier media reports have even highlighted the possibility of him earning up to ₹1 crore in an exceptionally successful month—a figure that reflects peak earning potential rather than a regular paycheck.
Mortal
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, is one of the names that helped put Indian gaming creators firmly on the mainstream map. From competitive PUBG Mobile to streaming and building his own gaming ecosystem, Mortal has successfully moved beyond being just a player.
According to media reports and industry estimates, top gaming personalities like Mortal have previously earned ₹30–40 lakh per month during peak periods. But there is no publicly verified figure for Mortal’s current annual income. His actual earnings can change depending on sponsorships, streaming, content, esports, and other business opportunities.
Techno Gamerz
Ujjwal Chaurasia, better known as Techno Gamerz, represents a completely different route to gaming success. He doesn’t need to win an esports tournament every week to make money—the massive audience for his gaming videos is the business.
According to third-party online estimates, his YouTube advertising revenue alone can run into tens of lakhs of rupees per month, given his enormous viewership. Some estimates put the figure at around ₹50 lakh a month or more, but this is not an officially disclosed income. His total earnings can also include sponsorships, branded content and collaborations.
In other words, for creators like Techno Gamerz, views themselves become a business.
Total Gaming
Ajay, popularly known as Total Gaming or Ajju Bhai, is another giant of India’s gaming creator economy. His Free Fire content has helped him build a huge digital audience, turning gaming videos and livestreams into a major business.
According to third-party online estimates, Total Gaming’s YouTube advertising revenue can reach several lakhs of rupees a month. However, these numbers are calculated from publicly available viewership and advertising data and are not confirmed earnings. Sponsorships and brand deals can add another layer to his income.
So, the number you see online isn’t necessarily the amount that lands in his bank account every month.
Payal Gaming
Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, has become one of India’s biggest female gaming creators and a major name in the country’s livestreaming space.
Various media and online estimates have placed her income in the multi-lakh-rupee range, although the figures differ considerably depending on the source and calculation method. There is no publicly confirmed annual income figure from Payal, so it would be misleading to call any one estimate her exact salary.
Her money game includes gaming content, livestreams, YouTube monetisation, sponsorships and brand collaborations.
Mythpat
Mithilesh Patankar, popularly known as Mythpat, has cracked another formula: gaming + comedy + entertainment. His videos are designed not only for gamers but for a much wider audience, helping him build a strong creator brand.
According to media reports, Mythpat is among India’s prominent gaming creators and earns through content, advertising, sponsorships, and collaborations. However, there is no reliable current public figure that can establish his exact annual income.
And that’s an important point when looking at gaming earnings: a creator’s online popularity does not automatically reveal their bank balance.
8bit Thug
Animesh Agarwal, popularly known as 8bit Thug, gives us a look at the business side of gaming. Alongside his identity as a gaming personality, he has been involved with esports organizations and the broader gaming ecosystem.
As per industry estimates reported in the media, professional players competing at the highest level for registered esports teams can earn approximately ₹30–35 lakh annually. For the biggest creators, however, sponsorships, content and brand partnerships can push overall earnings much higher.
So, Who Is Actually Making The Big Money?
Here’s where things get interesting.
A gamer isn’t necessarily earning money simply because they are good at a game. The real jackpot comes from having an audience.
A professional esports player may earn through a team contract and tournament winnings. A streamer can make money from livestreaming and memberships. A YouTuber can earn from advertisements. And a superstar creator can combine all of these with lucrative brand partnerships.
According to media reports, India’s top esports players can earn around ₹1 crore annually, while the biggest gaming creators can earn considerably more when all their revenue streams are combined.
But there’s another side to the story. Industry research reported in the media has suggested that while top gaming influencers with massive followings can earn upwards of ₹40 lakh annually, nearly 90% of aspiring gaming influencers earn less than ₹3 lakh a year.
That is perhaps the most important number in India’s gaming money game.
Gaming Isn’t Just A Game Anymore
India’s gaming market has crossed the $1 billion mark, reflecting just how big the business has become. And with millions of gamers, growing esports competitions and an expanding creator economy, the opportunities are only getting bigger.
But the success stories of Scout, Jonathan Gaming, Mortal, Techno Gamerz, Total Gaming, Payal Gaming and Mythpat come with an important reality check: gaming can make you money, but becoming one of the people making serious money requires much more than simply being good at a game.
You need skill, consistency, personality, an audience—and increasingly, the ability to turn that audience into a brand.
So, the next time someone says, “Gaming mein kya rakha hai?”—the answer might be: lakhs, crores, and a very serious business model.
