Chennai has seen the transformation of esports from a casual activity to a lucrative industry, with professional e-gamers now representing India on the global stage. Tamil Nadu's government has embraced this trend by incorporating esports into the CM Trophy competition. Sudin Dinesh, a former casual gamer from Chennai, has become a successful pro player, earning recognition and a high-paying job after competing in international events. The esports scene in Chennai sees significant viewership on livestreams, attracting both beginners and fans eager to learn from top players. The esports industry has seen remarkable growth, with tournament prize pools increasing exponentially over the years.Indian cities are embracing esports more widely. A major event featuring the top e-gamers in the country will be held in Chennai by late November. Not all players are professionals, with individuals like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, joining friends in Chennai to play for enjoyment. Rajan values the feedback from streams and the opportunity to connect with people internationally. Some professionals, such as doctors and engineers aged 20 to 40, see gaming as a means to enhance concentration, but concerns about addiction are on the rise. According to Dr. D Sidharth, who treats several cases of back pain and stress every month due to excessive gaming, many individuals play continuously for 4-6 hours after work, negatively affecting their sleep, posture, and eyesight. To address these concerns, some game publishers have implemented self-regulatory measures, like capping daily gaming at six hours and sending alerts every two hours to prevent health issues. Sriram Vishaal, Head of esports at Skyesports, notes that skill-based esports, unlike games of chance and betting such as rummy or poker, is unlikely to come under scrutiny from the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority.