Technology has become a great source of entertainment to many. Video games particularly have garnered interest from all demographics. In Canada, the gaming industry has experienced significant growth, fuelled by increased accessibility to gaming platforms and the growth of online gaming communities.

Statistics indicate that a large percentage of Canadians are engaged in gaming activities, whether it be playing console or PC games, mobile games, or online multiplayer games. The popularity of video games extends beyond leisure pastimes, with many Canadians participating in gaming competitions, attending gaming conventions, and consuming gaming-related content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

The number of video game users in Canada reflects how broad the sector is, from mobile games to digital video games, download games and live streaming. In 2024, the gaming sector will see millions of users in each of these categories. Statista projects 13.38 million users for digital video games and 7.35 million users for online games respectively. It estimates that revenue in the Canadian video game market is expected to reach US$3,925.00m in 2024, so it is no surprise to observe the increasing popularity of the sector.

Well-known online casino provider BetVictor has compiled some key points from major surveys detailing the video game market to give further insight into its makeup and potential. The gaming culture in Canada is growing, which means the type of games and genres will grow along with the sector. Statista recently conducted a survey of 1 576 respondents aged 18 – 64 who are avid video game players, with telling results. ​​In December 2023, a survey about preferred video game genres in Canada revealed the top four genres as being Action, Action – adventure, Adventure and casual games accounting for 31% of respondents’ preferences.

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David Winter, Marketing Manager at BetVictor notes that “We’ve seen a steady increase in the popularity of action-themed and adventure-themed slots and many providers are exploring how to expand further into this market.”

The popularity of Action games such as platform and fighting games can be attributed to various factors, such as: social interaction, accessibility and inclusivity, social appeal, and cultural influence. With such a diverse audience, all these factors are crucial to understand the appeal of Action games.

In the digital age, gaming has transcended mere entertainment to become a cornerstone of culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in Canada. From coast to coast, a diverse community of gamers is thriving, reflecting the country’s inclusive spirit and passion for technology. Whether it’s the casual gamer enjoying a quick session on their smartphone or the dedicated enthusiast meticulously building a custom gaming PC, Canada offers a welcome haven for all kinds of gamers.

Diving deeper into the Statista results, Strategy games accounted for 29%. This shows us that players have a strong interest in tactical and decision-making games. While role-playing (RPG) and sports games garnered 22% each, simulation and shooters trailed slightly behind at 21% and 20% respectively.

MMO (massively multiplayer online games), as well as MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) and MOBA (multi online battle arenas) came in at 13% and 8% respectively, representing a significant but niche following. With such a diverse array of preferences, the survey underscores the multifaceted nature of interests among Canadian gamers. It highlights the need for game developers to cater for a wide range of genres and gameplaying styles in the Canadian market.

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From action shooter games to role-playing adventures, the industry has something for every gaming enthusiast in the Canadian market. Overall, the popularity of video games in Canada reflects a growing cultural phenomenon, where gaming has become a mainstream form of entertainment and a significant aspect of modern-day leisure activities.

Statistics anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.10% for 2022-2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$24.52bn by 2027. Canada’s online gaming market is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a surging number of Canadian players engaging in immersive virtual reality experiences.

Genius Sports Limited has announced the launch of a new suite of interactive free-to-play (F2P) games, designed to meet the customer acquisition and loyalty challenges facing betting operators.

The new range taps into Genius Sports’ unrivalled track-record of building gamification strategies and solutions for some of the largest sports leagues, federations, betting operators, and brands globally.

Betting operators can now access a suite of games including both light-touch activations for daily retention and weekend predictor tools. Genius Sports also offers a fully bespoke service including gamification strategy design and custom game development, built off 15 years’ experience in providing these services to the largest leagues, federations, and teams in sport.

In addition, Genius Sports is integrating its proven advertising solutions for gaming brands, making it the only supplier that not only delivers premium free-to-play games but also helps betting operators drive players to and from the game into their sportsbook. All of this is supported by the advanced analytics and reporting utilized by Genius Sports’ advertising business, enabling betting operators to truly measure the impact of their paid media as well as the long-term impact of their gamification strategy.

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With this new suite of games, Genius Sports now offers the highest quality and privacy compliant F2P solutions across the following categories:

• Tournament Games to activate a sportsbook brand such as Brackets, various Fantasy solutions, Tournament Predictors, and key event activations like Squares and Sweepstakes.
• Weekly and Matchday Games to acquire and convert players to bet such as Pick 6, Daily Fantasy, Under/Over Battle, Acca Pack Challenge, Beat the Grid, and many others.
• Daily Retention Games to deliver segmented daily player interaction such as Spin-To-Win, Prediction Bingo, Club Hunt, Goal Guesser, Market Scratch Card, and dozens more.
• Bespoke F2P Solutions leveraging decade of Genius Sports’ experience building fully custom gamification solutions and mechanics to meet a betting operator’s exact objectives and requirements.

Genius Sports has delivered free-to-play solutions for leading betting operators globally, including Betway, bet365, BetVictor, PointsBet, Caliente, TAB, and Superbet.

“From encouraging users to register for an account to giving them a compelling reason to return and then converting them back to bet, our new suite of games provides betting operators with incredible value across the full player lifecycle. We work in partnership with 300+ betting operators, and we’re excited to expand our partnerships through proven gamification solutions,” Josh Linforth, Chief Revenue Officer of Genius Sports, said.