Guides for café owners

How to start a gaming café in India: a checklist

Updated 8 October 2026

This is a planning checklist, not financial or legal advice. It deliberately gives no cost figures, because they vary a great deal by city and location. Check each item with the relevant local authority or a professional.

1. Decide the concept

Console lounge, PC café, racing simulators, VR, or a mix? Who is your player: college students, office workers, families, esports regulars? The answer drives everything below.

2. Choose the location

• Footfall from your target players: colleges, offices, residential areas.
• Space for the setups, seating and walkways, with reliable power and air conditioning.
• Fast, stable internet if you offer online games.

3. Plan the equipment

Match the setup to the concept. Budget for the screens, controllers, seating, cooling and spares, not only the consoles and PCs. Plan how you will repair or replace a station without losing a day.

4. Check the games you will offer

Commercial use of games and platforms can come with terms that differ from home use. Check the licence or commercial terms for each game and platform you plan to offer.

5. Registrations and licences

Find out which business registrations, tax registrations, trade or shop licences and safety requirements apply in your city and premises, and get them in order before opening.

6. Staffing

Who runs the counter, who sets up sessions, who handles problems on a busy night? Decide roles and who can see prices and payouts.

7. Set your prices

Read how to price gaming café sessions.

8. Get found and get booked

Claim your Google Business Profile, show real photos, and list your café online so players can see free times and book and pay in advance.