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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.”

AC Milan

Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience

Published

29 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

boomerang-partners-delivers-time-to-win-main-prize-with-milanello-experience

Boomerang Partners, an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, has delivered the main prize of its completed TIME TO WIN affiliate tournament. It ran from February 12 to March 31, 2026, with 57 affiliate teams taking part. Two winning teams travelled to Milan for a three-day programme built around the Club. The winners attended AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium, visited Casa Milan and the Mondo Milan Museum, and completed the trip with an exclusive visit to Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet.

Matchday at San Siro opened the three-day programme

The programme began on April 26 with AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium. The winning teams arrived at the stadium ahead of kick-off and were met by an AC Milan representative, who guided the group through the matchday process.

Before the match, the guests were taken to the pitchside area to watch the teams warming up. The partners had time to take photos and videos from close to the field. After the warm-up, they watched the match from their seats and experienced the atmosphere of one of the key fixtures of the Serie A calendar. The group also had access to the hospitality lounge with food and drinks before and during the match.

Inside Casa Milan: history, trophies, and hospitality

On April 27, the programme continued at Casa Milan, where the group joined a guided Mondo Milan Museum tour in English. The tour covered AC Milan’s history, trophies, and key achievements, giving partners more context after the matchday experience at San Siro Stadium.

After the Mondo Milan Museum tour, the winners had time to visit the Casa Milan Store. The hospitality part of the day continued with snacks and drinks arranged for the group. The partners also received AC Milan shirts, which became a pleasant surprise during the visit.

The final day brought winners to Milanello

On April 28, the winners visited Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet, AC Milan’s legendary training base. The group was welcomed in the hospitality area before starting a tour of the facility, including the training fields and facilities used by the team.

Daniele Massaro, Club Ambassador and former AC Milan player, also joined the group at Milanello. He spoke with the guests and signed autographs. After the tour, the partners watched the team training session and joined an autograph session with the players. They also had time to speak with them, take photos, and have AC Milan shirts signed.

For the winning teams, Milanello was the strongest part of the programme. It gave them access to a setting usually closed to the public and direct contact with the Club, its players, and its training environment.

Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, who joined the winners during the trip, commented: “The trip went very well, and the feedback from partners was extremely positive. The programme was rich and very well organized, but balanced enough for everyone to enjoy all three days in Milan without feeling exhausted. The strongest emotions came from the pitchside access before AC Milan v Juventus, the warm-up at San Siro, the visit to Milanello, and the opportunity to meet the players, take photos, and get autographs. For us, the main result was stronger relationships with partners and a higher level of trust in Boomerang Partners. Everyone genuinely enjoyed the time in Milan, and for us that reaction was the best confirmation of the value of this prize.”

From TIME TO WIN to Golden Boomerang Awards 2026

Following the TIME TO WIN activation, Boomerang Partners continues its affiliate tournament series with Golden Boomerang Awards 2026. On April 3, the company launched the third season of its annual tournament for affiliate teams.

The 2026 season runs under the “Beyond the Moment” concept and includes exclusive sports experiences such as the trip to the Wimbledon Championships, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza, and an exclusive dinner with an AC Milan Legend. The final ceremony will take place in Lisbon during the SBC Summit.

Further details on participation in the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 are available on the official GBA 2026 website.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The Agency’s clients’ portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide incentive programs and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Latest News

Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Master Editor

Matchday at San Siro opened the three-day programme

Inside Casa Milan: history, trophies, and hospitality

The final day brought winners to Milanello

From TIME TO WIN to Golden Boomerang Awards 2026

Further details on participation in the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 are available on the official GBA 2026 website.

About Boomerang

Founder and CEO SCCG Management

SCCG LATAM to Host First International Gaming and iGaming Conference in Venezuela, Caracas, August 12-14, 2026

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

sccg-latam-to-host-first-international-gaming-and-igaming-conference-in-venezuela,-caracas,-august-12-14,-2026

Three-day conference will convene Venezuela’s gaming regulators, leading operators, banking partners, and international providers for the first time.

“The Venezuela Gaming Expo is a defining moment for Latin American gaming. For the first time, international operators, providers, and investors will have a structured venue to engage directly with the regulators and operators shaping one of the region’s largest underexplored markets.” — Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO, SCCG Management

SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gaming industry, today announced the inaugural Venezuela Gaming Expo, the first international gaming and iGaming conference to be held in Venezuela. Organized by SCCG LATAM, the three-day conference will take place at the Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas from August 12 to 14, 2026.

The Expo brings together Venezuela’s gaming regulators, leading domestic operators, banking and payments partners, international providers, and investors for what will be the country’s first dedicated international gaming convening. Pre-registration is open now for operators, suppliers, banking and payments firms, investors, regulators, and media seeking early access to programming and direct introductions to the Venezuelan operating community.

Venezuela is one of Latin America’s largest gaming markets and one of the least understood by international operators. The country has a population of nearly 29 million, high mobile and internet penetration, and a functioning regulated industry. Three license-emitting bodies govern the market: the Comisión Nacional de Casinos, Salas de Bingo y Máquinas Traganíqueles (CNC), the Comisión Nacional de Lotería (CONALOT), and the Superintendencia Nacional de Actividades Hípicas (SUNAHIP). The Instituto Nacional de Hipódromos (INH) operates national horse racing and sports betting infrastructure under SUNAHIP’s regulatory umbrella. Thirty-two licensed online operators are currently active, with the top five generating over USD 150 million in gross gaming revenue annually. SCCG LATAM has published a detailed primer on the Venezuelan gaming market covering the country’s regulatory framework, market dynamics, and banking infrastructure.

In April 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 57, authorizing U.S. financial institutions to provide a broad range of financial services to four named Venezuelan state banks. The licence marks the first time in years that payment infrastructure between U.S. and Venezuelan financial institutions has been on a clear legal footing, lowering one of the most cited structural barriers to international engagement with the Venezuelan gaming sector.

The Expo programme is built around three integrated pillars. A conference programme curated by operators for operators will cover market entry, regulatory navigation, payments and banking infrastructure, and cross-border distribution, with keynote speakers including Venezuelan government officials and industry leaders. A networking layer integrates hosted dinners and curated engagement with the Caracas gaming community. A dedicated business meetings room facilitates private introductions between operators, providers, banking partners, and investors. The format is designed for outcome over spectacle, with approximately 3,000 attendees and 60 exhibitor tables.

The Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas sits in Chuao, near the city’s financial district, with full conference facilities and on-site accommodations that allow the programme, networking, and business meetings to flow within a single venue.

“The Venezuela Gaming Expo is a defining moment for Latin American gaming,” said Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management. “For the first time, international operators, providers, and investors will have a structured venue to engage directly with the regulators and operators shaping one of the region’s largest underexplored markets. With the recent opening of U.S. banking channels through General License 57, the timing is right to convene the global industry in Caracas and translate market interest into commercial activity. SCCG LATAM is built to deliver that bridge.”

The Expo is part of SCCG LATAM’s broader regional strategy following the launch of its dedicated Latin American division and Miami office earlier this year. SCCG works directly with Venezuela’s three license-emitting bodies and with established Venezuelan operators, positioning international participants for compliant market entry and partnership.

Pre-registration, sponsorship inquiries, and exhibitor inquiries can be submitted at sccgmanagement.com/sccg-articles/2026/05/10/venezuela-gaming-expo-2026-save-the-date. A SCCG LATAM team member will follow up within 48 hours of each submission.

The post SCCG LATAM to Host First International Gaming and iGaming Conference in Venezuela, Caracas, August 12-14, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.