In Chennai, esports has transformed from a casual hobby to a lucrative industry, with professional e-gamers representing India internationally and earning monthly salaries of 10 to 20 lakh. Recognizing this shift, the Tamil Nadu government has incorporated esports into the CM Trophy competition. For instance, Sudin Dinesh from Chennai, who started gaming for fun at local gaming centers, never expected to compete on a global level. He dedicated himself to competitive gaming, practicing for 10 hours daily and achieving success in national tournaments. This dedication led to a contract with a Delhi-based gaming organization, through which he participated in the 2015 Esports World Championship, cementing his status as one of the top 32 players globally. Dinesh has since retired from professional gaming and now holds a high-ranking position at an esports organization in Bengaluru. He predicts a growing interest in professional gaming as evidenced by the increasing viewership of livestreams on social media platforms.For gamers in Chennai, livestream views typically range from 3 to 17 lakh, with many viewers being newcomers keen on learning from experienced players. In addition to streaming income, gamers receive rewards from tournaments and collaborations with brands seeking to sponsor successful teams. The esports industry has seen tremendous growth, with tournament prize pools rising significantly over the years. For example, a FIFA tournament in Chennai offered a prize pool of ₹5 lakh in 2010, whereas a recent Battlegrounds tournament in Kochi featured a prize pool of ₹2 crore. International game publishers are now organizing tournaments in India, indicating the industry's expanding reach.Indian cities are promoting esports to gain popularity. In late November, Chennai will host a major event featuring the country's top e-gamers. Not all players are professionals; individuals like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, join friends in Chennai to play for fun and passion. Kirubakaran mentions that he enjoys receiving feedback from streams and connecting with players globally. Some professionals, such as doctors and engineers aged 20 to 40, view gaming as a way to enhance concentration, although concerns about addiction are increasing. Dr. D Sidharth, who treats cases of back pain or stress related to excessive gaming, notes that many players spend 4-6 hours playing after work, affecting their sleep, posture, and eyesight. Game publishers have implemented self-regulatory measures to address health issues, like limiting daily gaming to six hours and sending alerts every two hours. Sriram Vishaal, the Head of esports at Skyesports, a tournament organizer, mentions that unlike rummy or poker, skill-based esports are not likely to be monitored by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority, which focuses on games of chance and betting.