Latest News

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.”

BetConstruct AI

BetConstruct AI Set to Transform the African iGaming Frontier at SiGMA Africa 2026

Published

3 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-set-to-transform-the-african-igaming-frontier-at-sigma-africa-2026

BetConstruct AI is proud to announce its participation in SiGMA Africa 2026, demonstrating its commitment to technological innovation and operator empowerment across the rapidly growing African iGaming market.

Visitors to Stand N 062 will experience BetConstruct AI’s full suite of AI-driven solutions, designed to optimize player engagement, automate operations, and deliver high-performance platforms tailored to Africa’s diverse regulatory and market requirements.

AI-Powered Platform Solutions

The showcase features BetConstruct AI’s industry-leading Sportsbook and Casino Platforms, engineered to handle high-volume traffic while maintaining stability and scalability for the continent’s expanding player base.

In addition to core betting infrastructure, BetConstruct AI provides tools for operator autonomy and efficiency:

CMS Pro – A centralized content management hub streamlining business operations.
SpringBuilder X – A mobile-first, SEO-driven drag-and-drop website builder with AI-assisted optimization for speed and simplicity.
BetChain AI – Revolutionary AI-assisted design for iGaming websites, enabling partners to build and manage digital identities quickly and efficiently.

BetConstruct AI Suite: Enhancing Operator Performance

CRM AI – Advanced behavioral analytics to boost player retention and loyalty.
Umbrella AI – Real-time risk management and automated player protection.
AI Game Recommendation System – Personalized content delivery to increase engagement across demographics.
Betting Mate – AI companion providing real-time stats and insights to enhance the player experience.

The Choice to Grow Program
Operators can participate in “The Choice to Grow”, a performance-based initiative offering a 51% invoice discount every third month for achieving a 16.67% GGR increase per quarter across products including Sportsbook, Virtual Sports, and partner brands such as PopOK Gaming and CreedRoomz. Premium service benefits are included.

Harmony Dinner: Networking & Collaboration
On March 4, BetConstruct AI will host the Harmony Dinner at Cabo Beach, Cape Town, an exclusive event fostering collaboration among industry leaders, operators, and visionaries to discuss the future of gaming and shared growth opportunities.

Visit Stand N 062
BetConstruct AI invites industry stakeholders, operators, and media to explore its AI-driven ecosystem, demonstrating how connected technology enables operational efficiency, innovation, and market leadership in Africa.

The post BetConstruct AI Set to Transform the African iGaming Frontier at SiGMA Africa 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2Tech

B2Tech to Present at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, Showcasing Its Integrated Betting Ecosystem

Published

4 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

b2tech-to-present-at-sigma-africa-2026-in-cape-town,-showcasing-its-integrated-betting-ecosystem

B2Tech will present at SiGMA Africa 2026, highlighting its omni-channel platform technology and continued growth across regulated African jurisdictions. The company’s participation underscores its focus on delivering a unified framework connecting core platform infrastructure, operator brands, marketing services, and embedded payments.

SiGMA Africa brings together iGaming and digital entertainment stakeholders, including licensed operators, affiliates, regulators, investors, and suppliers. With African regulation evolving rapidly, the summit will explore compliance, licensing, market entry strategies, and financial solutions.

Integrated Platform Solutions

B2Tech designs best-in-class sportsbook and casino platform technology, optimized for mobile-first deployment and regulated markets. The platform includes:

Localization features: multi-currency support and compliance aligned with market-by-market obligations
Operational tools: risk management, performance analytics, and regulatory adherence
Scalable infrastructure: supporting efficient and consistent operations across multiple jurisdictions

B2Tech powers numerous licensed sportsbook and iGaming operations across Africa, combining global technology standards with local operational expertise. The company enables operators to adapt to evolving regulations while maintaining scalable, high-performance systems.

YellowBet: Pan-African Sportsbook & iGaming Brand
Within the B2Tech ecosystem, YellowBet operates as a pan-African sportsbook and iGaming brand powered by B2Tech’s proprietary platform. Centralized control ensures performance, reporting, and regulatory compliance at a group level, while maintaining market-specific flexibility to provide tailored betting experiences. Learn more: yellowbet.com

Africa Bet Partners: Structured Affiliate Program
The Africa Bet Partners program supports affiliate acquisition across regulated African markets with defined commission models, reporting transparency, and localized promotional alignment. This enables affiliates to access regulated markets in a controlled and compliant manner. More info: africabetpartners.com

PayAlo: Embedded Payments Infrastructure
Integrated payments are delivered via PayAlo, embedded in B2Tech’s platform and compatible with API integrations for third-party platforms. PayAlo supports deposits and withdrawals across jurisdictions while ensuring compliance, synchronized reporting, and unified transaction monitoring.

SiGMA Africa 2026 Presence
At Booth 73, attendees can meet B2Tech’s leadership team to discuss platform architecture, market expansion, and ecosystem development, and learn how a centralized, integrated platform model supports regulatory compliance and sustainable operations.

About B2Tech
B2Tech is a technology provider specializing in sportsbook and casino platform solutions for regulated African markets. B2Tech empowers licensed operators with scalable, compliant technology, enabling growth across multiple markets under a single unified management system.

Contact
Norman Itumo Nthiwa
B2Tech Communications
[email protected]

The post B2Tech to Present at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, Showcasing Its Integrated Betting Ecosystem appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Atlaslive

Atlaslive Shortlisted in Five Categories at GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026

Published

4 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

atlaslive-shortlisted-in-five-categories-at-gamingtech-cee-awards-2026

Atlaslive, a leading B2B iGaming platform provider, has been shortlisted in five categories at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026. The awards are part of the HIPTHER Prague Summit, scheduled for March 24–25, 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.

The company has been nominated in the following categories:

Best Online Casino Provider in CEE
Online Casino Innovator of the Year (CEE)
Best iGaming Platform Provider (PAM) in CEE
Best Live Casino Provider in CEE
Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE

These nominations highlight Atlaslive’s presence across platform infrastructure, live casino solutions, sportsbook operations, and product development.

Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive, said:

“This recognition across five categories reflects the breadth of our platform. We focus on building infrastructure that performs under scale, supports multi-vertical growth, and adapts to evolving regulatory standards. Being shortlisted in both casino and sportsbook categories confirms that our approach delivers measurable impact across the full iGaming ecosystem.”

The GamingTECH CEE Awards spotlight innovation, operational performance, and leadership within the Central and Eastern European gaming and technology sector, recognizing companies contributing to platform development and service quality across regulated markets. Online voting is now open, and industry peers can cast their vote via the official GamingTECH CEE Awards page. Winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony at the HIPTHER Prague Summit in March.

Atlaslive continues to develop scalable, performance-focused iGaming infrastructure for operators across regulated markets.

About Atlaslive
Atlaslive is an iGaming platform provider delivering a dynamic platform for live operations and regulated growth. Casino, Sportsbook, and unified All-in-One solutions are available via White Label, Turnkey, and API integration models, enabling operators to launch faster, scale confidently, and retain full control over their business and growth strategy.

The post Atlaslive Shortlisted in Five Categories at GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.