Canada

Is Gaming Actually Bad for Students?

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2023

Is Gaming Actually Bad for Students?

Gaming has a bad reputation among non-gamers. However, why is it so? The history of gaming may be partly at fault here. As soon as video games entered our homes, they completely captivated children’s minds and attention. They grew obsessed with various games, which changed their lifestyles and habits. Such a change of heart disturbed parents and adults, forcing them to simply claim how games distract young people from studying, socializing, and healthy physical activity. Since then, gaming has been deemed a waste of time and not good for school or college kids, earning it a rather negative reputation.

However, decades and many, many games later, young people enjoy gaming more than ever. In fact, it is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable industries in the world, where students remain its biggest consumers. So, what does such a dynamic have to prove to us? Perhaps, there is something about gaming that non-gamers simply don’t understand. Is gaming such bad news for students? Or, perhaps, it can be beneficial, and young gamers actually know what they are doing. Let’s see how gaming can impact students’ lives and school performance.

Gaming as a stress reliever

Non-gamers always argue about how gaming can make young people more aggressive, stressed, or anxious. Saying that games are too violent or scary to play and make kids experience the negative consequences in real life. Well, the truth is quite different. It has been proven again and again that gaming doesn’t make people more aggressive or angry. In fact, video games help kids to relax. Indeed, gaming can be quite a stress reliever for young people.

After all, college can be very stressful and intense. Students feel pressured and worried. These negative emotions often get bottled up with no visible escape in real life. Gaming can help students release those bad emotions through playing. They get to experience a range of feelings that can be almost therapeutic in a way. Hence, a few hours of gaming a week can help young people cope with their emotions and improve their mental health.

Gaming for building skills

It may be surprising to learn, but gaming actually has a lot to teach young people. Truly, most computer games come with numerous lessons that college kids must learn to complete games and grow in their gaming craft. For example, one of such lessons can be problem-solving skills. In games, players have to deal with endless challenges to move on further in the plot. Thus, they also have to apply logic, analytical skills, critical thinking, and more. All those skills are essential not only in gaming but in academia.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

So, gamers polish such valuable skills while playing to apply them in college later. These lessons help students approach their school challenges with confidence. Of course, computer games cannot teach young people all the lessons and skills they need for school. Fortunately, in such a case, they often turn to paper writing help on writepaperfor.me. There they can find professional solutions and assistance.

Still, games can be a great way for students to build and practice those skills. Plus, gaming also teaches young people determination. They barely have any choice but to learn and progress to move further in the game.

When gaming goes wrong

We can see that gaming, overall, can be rather beneficial to young minds. However, there are certain limits to such advantages. As we all know, everything is healthy in moderation. When gaming turns from a habit into an addiction, students start having problems. Gaming addiction is as serious as any other. Such obsession with digital worlds can affect one’s lifestyle, physical and mental health, and, of course, school performance.

Sure, not all students reach such a point in their love of gaming. However, those who do require help. It is hard to acknowledge and get over an addiction without external help and internal motivation. Here are some signs when gaming goes wrong:

Constant thinking about gaming;
feeling the need to play every day;
prioritizing gaming, oversleeping, school, personal relationships, etc.;
inability to quit;
having no interest or desire to do other things than gaming;
dropping in school performance.

These are some of the most obvious signs that you or someone you know needs help overcoming their gaming addiction. However, such a condition is rather an exception than a rule, and it often takes other factors, like mental health issues, to fall into the given addiction. Hence, it is worth going to the roots of the problem, seeing gaming as just one of the symptoms.

Bottom line

Gaming doesn’t have to be bad for students. It is all about how they approach it and how much time they dedicate to gaming each week. As long as gaming doesn’t interfere with their personal lives and studying, gaming can be a positive thing for their mental health and even school performance. Games can be a fun platform to build valuable skills and learn relatable life lessons.

Canada

ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market

Published

6 hours ago

April 8, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

elk-studios-expands-partnership-with-skillonnet-to-ontario-market

PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie to carry ELK Studios’ games in Ontario

Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet and innovative Swedish game creator Elk Studios have cemented their longstanding partnership with the launch of ELK’s groundbreaking portfolio in the Ontario market.

ELK Studios is responsible for some of the industry’s most innovative and engaging online casino games. Now, players at SkillOnNet’s Ontario-licensed casinos, PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie, will be able to experience the feature-packed delights of hit titles like Nitropolis, Tinkerbot and Pirot, as well as new release Orbitfall, and the studio’s signature X-iter and CollectR mechanics.

The expansion marks a milestone for ELK Studios as it continues to grow its footprint in regulated markets worldwide. SkillOnNet recently successfully launched the studio’s portfolio in the Spanish and Mexican markets through its Spanish-language brands and expects the studio’s games to make a similarly immediate impact with Ontario players.

Ontario has become a hugely important growth market since the province launched regulated online gaming in 2022. It was worth $2.4 billion in 2024, with $63 billion in wagering, the lion’s share coming from online casinos.

Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “ELK Studios is known for its high-quality games that blend unique storytelling and humour with high levels of engagement and playability, which is why we’re delighted to introduce them to Ontario. We believe they will perform successfully, as they have in other markets around the world.”

Vaida Cirtautaite, CCO at ELK Studios said: “SkillOnNet has been an invaluable partner in our growth journey, and we are thrilled to expand our collaboration into Ontario. We’re excited to bring our innovative games to a new wave of players in this dynamic market.”

The post ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

AGCO

Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

playnetic-granted-ontario-supplier-license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application

Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.

As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.

Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.

In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.

Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”

The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

BetVictor

BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

betvictor-canada-launches-tracy-mcgrady-safer-gambling-campaign

BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.

Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.

To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.

The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.

Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.

“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”

The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.