In a recent piece published on September 15, 2020, Milind Pote, a prominent entrepreneur from Aurangabad, voiced his concern over the challenges facing the indoor amusement and entertainment industry in the Marathwada region.
According to Pote, operators of indoor game zones, arcades, and entertainment centres are under extraordinary pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact—decreased footfall, increased hygiene/safety costs, and uncertain government regulations are all contributing factors.
He noted that while outdoor and open air experiences can adapt more easily to distancing norms, indoor venues in Marathwada face a tougher road ahead. The region’s lesser density of high-end infrastructure and fewer economies of scale make recovery especially difficult. Pote emphasised that the business model for indoor amusement centres must now fundamentally rethink operations—reducing fixed overheads, adopting stricter sanitisation protocols, and innovating with digital or contact-less experiences.
Milind Pote’s commentary highlights a broader theme: the entertainment-leisure segment in smaller Indian cities is disproportionately vulnerable during crises. With consumer behaviour shifting, he suggests that only those venues which can rapidly adapt will survive. For Marathwada in particular, he calls on policymakers, landlords, and business owners to collaborate—relooking at rental terms, regulatory support and marketing efforts—to ensure that indoor amusement businesses aren’t left behind in the region’s economic revival.