Canada
Is Gaming Actually Bad for Students?

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.
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.
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AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.
“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.
“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.
With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.
The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetRivers
NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
The post NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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