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Revealed: The emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming

Published

5 years ago

December 2, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

28% of internet users play games to meet new people
A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.
There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in the industry
We spoke to three experts in the field who gave their insights into the gaming industry

There are lots of negative misconceptions about gaming, many of which are far from the truth. A new study turns stereotypes on their heads and reveals the emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming. Dr Rachel Kowert, Research Director of Take This – a mental health non-profit; Dr Matthew Barr, a lecturer of Game Studies at the University of Glasgow; and Noel McDermott, a psychotherapist and presenter of The Well-Being Show podcast, provide their thoughts and insights. Here are some of the highlights:

Gaming can boost mental wellbeing and help with feelings of loneliness

Thanks to well-crafted storylines and lifelike graphics, games are the perfect form of escapism
34% of gamers identify the feeling of being immersed in a game as a key motivation to play
The global gaming population is likely to have increased by 4% since the outbreak of Covid-19

Especially in challenging times, activities that provide a positive distraction and allow an individual to put their worries to the back of their mind can have a beneficial impact on mental wellbeing. Gaming is an excellent example of this, offering an immersive experience that can mentally transport you to another world.

Barr says, “Video games are good at getting players into the state of optimal experience that psychologists call ‘flow’, by offering an appropriate balance of challenge versus achievement. It’s that feeling of being ‘in the zone’, where you’re totally absorbed in the task at hand, and you’re operating at the top of your game. In turn, this has a positive impact on how players feel.”

This is because the sense of reward releases feel-good hormones called dopamine that boost the player’s mood. What’s more, gaming can offer meditative benefits by fully occupying your mind with the objectives of the game.

Kowert adds that, “Gameplay can also teach skills that have long been associated with increased happiness and prolonged life satisfaction, including openness to experience, self-care, a growth mindset, solution-focused thinking, mindfulness, persistence, self-discovery, and resilience.”

Gaming can maintain and build new relationships

Half of gamers play with their real-life friends
28% of internet users play games to meet new people
1 in 3 internet users in the UK say the main reason they game is to have fun with people they know

Contrary to popular belief, gaming can be a sociable activity. Many games offer multiplayer modes or are designed to be played in teams, providing the opportunity for individuals to join forces with their existing friends or virtually meet new people – located anywhere in the world.

McDermott says, “Gaming, especially online, can provide immeasurable benefits to those who are lonely and isolated. It provides safe social contact and a place where skills can be developed. These skills can provide a much-needed boost to self-esteem.”

Research found that 60% of gamers report playing more games with social elements since the beginning of the pandemic, suggesting gaming can play a positive and pivotal role in connecting people at a time when face-to-face contact isn’t always possible.

Kowert explains, “Shared experiences, like playing games together, have been linked to increased self-esteem and a sense of belonging, as well as decreased feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation.”

Gaming can teach life skills and cognitive abilities

There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in gaming
Minecraft: Education Edition, for example, has applications in geography, history, engineering, and physics
A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.

While gaming can provide a fun form of entertainment, it can also contribute to the player’s cognitive development. For example, many titles involve problem solving, strategy and multi-tasking, among other skills.

Kowert explains, “Games are fantastic learning tools, particularly for children, because they are so engaging. Video games are also great vehicles for sharpening cognitive skills because they provide a range of different challenges within a single space. Gameplay has been associated with the improvement of a range of cognitive skills, including:

improved creative thinking
problem solving
time management
leadership skills
goal setting
initiative taking
decision making
persistence in the face of difficult challenges.”

It’s estimated that children aged 12-15 years old spend an average of 11.6 hours a week gaming. So, with gaming being such a widely enjoyed hobby, it’s encouraging to note that it could be effectively harnessed as an educational tool to teach numerous skills and knowledge. What’s more, with the gaming industry growing year-on-year (and estimated to be worth £3.86 billion in 2020), it could also open doors for careers in the industry.

Barr explains, “We all learn new skills through practice, whether that’s learning how to play an instrument or training to play sports more proficiently. Learning from a video game is no different – you’re exercising skills all the time, whether it’s figuring out puzzles or using your communication and language skills to talk to and strategize with your fellow players.”

Gaming myths debunked

52% of Brits play video games, demonstrating its popularity and prevalence in daily life
Gaming is the nation’s second favourite pastime, after watching TV
Brits spend an average of 7 hours a week gaming, which is just a third of the time spent watching TV (22.5 hrs)

Over the years, gaming has been associated with negative stereotypes and behaviours, such as laziness, violence, and isolation. There is little evidence to prove any of these correct. Instead, in many cases, gaming can be more beneficial for the player’s health, development, and social abilities than it is detrimental. In fact, with over half of Brits playing games, it’s apparent that gaming is just a part of modern life for many.

Kowert explains, “There is no evidence to suggest that playing games online has a negative impact on our ability to socialise. However, research has found that playing games with our friends online can strengthen our offline friendships and relationships.”

Another concern that often arises is the amount of time people spend gaming and whether gaming has addictive qualities. Talking on the topic, Barr explains that, “People talk about players becoming ‘addicted’ to games, without really considering what that word means, in a clinical sense. We don’t bat an eyelid when someone becomes so engrossed in a book that they sit there reading for hours on end, but somehow this sort of behaviour is perceived as problematic when it comes to games.”

18Peaches CEO

TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

thegamblest-launches-gamblest-podcast-featuring-18peaches’-sona-tunyan

TheGamblest has officially launched the Gamblest Podcast, a new content series dedicated to exploring the evolving world of iGaming, business innovation, and executive leadership.

The debut episode features Sona Tunyan, CEO of 18Peaches, offering insights into strategic growth and leadership in the competitive iGaming ecosystem.

Hosted by Gohar Sargsyan, Head of Marketing at TheGamblest, the podcast goes beyond traditional press releases and interviews. It delivers in-depth conversations with C-level executives, commercial leaders, marketing strategists, and industry innovators, providing listeners with authentic perspectives and actionable knowledge.

Focus on Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation

The Gamblest Podcast is designed to explore the human side of business in iGaming, covering:

Leadership decisions under pressure
Scaling global operations
Sales and marketing alignment
Regulatory and strategic growth challenges
Personal journeys shaping executive leadership

Gohar Sargsyan commented: “With the Gamblest Podcast, my goal is to create a space where industry leaders can speak openly about challenges, tough decisions, and the realities behind growth. Honest conversations are what truly drive sustainable progress.”

Debut Episode Highlights

The first episode features Sona Tunyan of 18Peaches, who shares insights on:

Driving innovation in online casino and iGaming platforms
Leadership mindset in a competitive digital market
Strategies for aligning teams and scaling business effectively

Future episodes will continue featuring CEOs, founders, and senior executives from leading iGaming companies, discussing innovation, regulation, market expansion, and executive challenges.

Subscribe and Join the Conversation

TheGamblest invites iGaming professionals, partners, and enthusiasts to subscribe to the Gamblest Podcast on YouTube and engage with upcoming episodes, fostering industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

The post TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bell Link Jackpot

EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-showcases-supreme-series-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

Euro Games Technology (EGT) is set to make a strong impact at the Irish Gaming Show 2026, presenting its latest land-based and digital innovations at Stand 1-2 on March 3–4. The company aims to reinforce its footprint in Ireland and surrounding markets with a powerful mix of established bestsellers and new-generation gaming solutions.

Supreme Series Makes Irish Debut

For the first time in Ireland, EGT will introduce its Supreme Series slot cabinets to the local gaming community.

Featured models include:

S 32 32 UP
S 32 32 ST

Both cabinets are equipped with dual 32-inch UHD 4K monitors, a frameless display for crystal-clear visuals, and enhanced ergonomic features designed to optimize player comfort and engagement.

Joining them is the latest addition:

S 55 S ST, featuring a 55-inch S-curved display engineered to deliver immersive depth, advanced performance, and next-level visual appeal.

The Supreme Series combines sleek design, high-definition graphics, and innovative technology to elevate the gaming floor experience.

Popular Multigames and Top Jackpots

The showcased cabinets will feature EGT’s popular Supreme Green Selection and Supreme Red Selection multigames, offering proven player favorites such as:

Shining Crown
Burning Hot
Amazons’ Battle
Rise of Ra

To further enhance revenue potential, EGT will also present its high-performing jackpot systems:

Bell Link
Premium Link

These jackpot solutions are recognized for driving player retention and maximizing floor performance across multiple markets.

EGT Digital and X-Nave Platform

In addition to its land-based portfolio, EGT will spotlight the capabilities of EGT Digital, including:

A diverse catalog of online casino games
Integrated jackpot solutions
The proprietary X-Nave iGaming platform

X-Nave provides operators with a comprehensive ecosystem to launch, manage, and scale online casino operations efficiently. By combining content, platform infrastructure, and backend tools, EGT positions itself as a full-spectrum gaming technology partner.

Strengthening Presence in Ireland and Beyond

According to Stefan Dimov, Director for EGT Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Malta, the Irish Gaming Show remains a key event for relationship building and regional expansion. The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it introduces the Supreme Series to Irish operators for the first time.

EGT’s participation reflects:

Ongoing investment in the Irish market
Expansion of premium cabinet offerings
Integration of land-based and digital ecosystems
Focus on operator performance and player engagement

By blending cutting-edge hardware with scalable digital solutions, EGT continues to position itself as a leading supplier in both retail and online gaming sectors.

Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in gaming industry news and exhibition coverage is Focus gaming News.

Similar coverage example:

https://focusgn.com/egt-to-feature-supreme-series-and-latest-solutions-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

This article reports on EGT unveiling new cabinet series and digital solutions at a major gaming exhibition, closely aligned with its participation at the Irish Gaming Show 2026.

The post EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

high stakes online poker

The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday

Published

21 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

the-wait-is-almost-over.-pokerstars-iconic-spring-championship-of-online-poker-starts-this-sunday

PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed

PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.

Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.

Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend

The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:

$215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed

This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.

400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats

SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:

No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
8-Game Mix
Mystery Bounties
Turbo and Deep Stack events

The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:

$5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
$550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)

These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.

PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight

PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.

Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.

Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55

Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:

Satellites starting at just $0.55
SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
$55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050

These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.

17 Years of Online Poker Legacy

Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:

Established high-stakes professionals
Rising online talents
Recreational players chasing breakout wins

With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.

Website Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.

https://www.pokernews.com/news

This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.

The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.