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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.”

Gamblers Connect

Gamblers Connect has officially launched its iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world

Published

9 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamblers-connect-has-officially-launched-its-ihub,-a-new-dedicated-page-created-to-be-your-ultimate-connection-to-the-igaming-world

Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, is proud to announce the official launch of the iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world.

The iHub exclusively features companies that have an official partnership or verified collaboration with Gamblers Connect, ensuring that every listing meets our editorial, commercial, and quality standards. To achieve this feat, we have successfully organized the complex web of the iGaming industry into a single, centralized location.

The sole purpose of the iHub is to function as a comprehensive database that allows anyone in iGaming, whether it is affiliates, operators, or players, to find the right solutions in one place. Unlike open directories, the iHub is a curated environment, only trusted, officially partnered companies are included, with no self-submissions or automated listings. The iHub, just as the industry itself, is built upon four essential pillars that cover every facet of the iGaming realm, including Affiliates, Game Providers, B2B Providers and Payment Solutions.

Every company featured within the iHub is manually reviewed and onboarded through an official partnership with Gamblers Connect, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and long-term value for the industry.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “The launch of the iHub perfectly reflects our goal to be the most transparent source of information in the iGaming world. It marks a new milestone in our history, as it represents a step forward in our ongoing mission to bring clarity to the industry. By launching the iHub, we unite the four essential pillars in a transparent and centralised manner, giving our community the ultimate resources to navigate the iGaming landscape.”

The post Gamblers Connect has officially launched its iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gaming Titans

Gaming Titans Are Relocating to Malta to Save Millions in Taxes

Published

9 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-titans-are-relocating-to-malta-to-save-millions-in-taxes

The gambling industry is hitting hard on industry firms. A growing number of jurisdictions are elevating pressure on licensed operators by rolling out stricter rules and imposing higher taxes as part of the efforts to tackle illegal gambling. Amid mounting pressure, Malta quietly cultivated a reputation as the “Holy Grail” for gambling firms.

For more than a decade, Malta has become a magnet for gambling businesses regardless of size and activity. Even prominent gambling enterprises, giant firms long on the market, are leaving and relocating their headquarters (HQ) from unfavorable regimes known for exceptionally high taxes, like Germany and the United Kingdom.

The math is mathing; businesses can save millions in annual revenue without compromising on the comfort of operating in a respected and stable regulatory framework. The most recent high-profile case involved one of the UK’s largest betting firms, Sky Bet, which has relocated a substantial part of its business to Malta, seeking to sharply reduce its tax bill.

The gap between tax regimes continues to widen, making it impossible to ignore for industry firms. Although the baseline UK corporate tax rate is set at 25%, the country has introduced additional gaming and betting duties, which are set to increase progressively, reaching up to 40% in the next two years. Subsequently, many small and large operators that have worked in the country for years reassess whether staying in the UK is still worth it.

Germany presents a similarly complex environment. Germany applies a 15% corporate income tax plus an additional levy of 5.5% on that amount, bringing the effective total to approximately 15.825% (together with other taxes, the rate may increase to approximately 28%-30%). The applicable gambling tax is 16.6% for lotteries and 5.3% for any other gambling activity. In Germany, therefore, securing positive net profit becomes the one with the stars for gambling businesses, thus driving many to reconsider their exposure and look elsewhere.

Malta, by comparison, looks like the missing piece of the puzzle. While the nominal corporate income tax rate in Malta is 35%, the country’s tax refund system allows one to effectively reduce the number to as low as 5%. Importantly, Malta does not introduce a UK-equivalent 15% gambling levy and instead applies a modest compliance contribution ranging from 0.5% to 4% per euro on the initial €2,000,000–€3,000,000 of company revenue, depending on the license class and activity.

For leading industry enterprises and groups of companies, securing a Malta gaming license and relocating to the jurisdiction can be truly transformative, potentially saving tens of millions in taxes each year.

Beyond the tax purposes, the Malta gambling license seal offers far more compelling advantages. The country has invested years in developing its gambling regulatory framework, with its licensing regime now widely respected internationally and recognized as “one of the most reputable licenses in the world,” according to Inteliumlaw, an industry-leading consultancy supporting firms during the license acquisition process.

Today, Malta has cemented a place among the world’s leading gambling hubs, with a regulator frequently regarded as one of the most experienced and well-respected. The island’s mature infrastructure and robust legal protection have made it extremely appealing both for innovating new projects and established enterprises seeking a reliable HQ base for growth.

As a result, gambling companies across Europe and other key regions are re-evaluating whether it still pays off to stay in their home jurisdiction, particularly where profitability begins to decline or no longer reaches desired thresholds. Ultimately, companies choose to leave higher-tax jurisdictions behind and move through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or a complete restructuring.

Against this backdrop, gambling companies are debating whether relocation is worth it, but how to transition without any bottlenecks and compliance gaps while also keeping operations running seamlessly. Relocating a gambling business is not a simple maneuver; rather, it’s a high-stakes operation spanning re-licensing, corporate restructuring, and obtaining multiple regulatory approvals. Anything can go wrong, triggering compliance breaches and drawing regulator attention.

In this case, proceeding without strong legal support is akin to walking a tightrope with the eyes closed. Successful gaming business relocation to Malta typically hinges on professional guidance from firms like Inteliumlaw, who combine deep expertise in gambling licensing and corporate structuring. With proven know-how and a team of seasoned specialists, Inteliumlaw helps gaming firms navigate the Malta gaming license application process with confidence.

Malta’s rise as a premier gambling destination is neither accidental nor a mistake, but the effect of effective policy-making tailored to an in-depth understanding of the modern gambling business’s real needs. Yet, what appears to be a seamless relocation is often the result of meticulous work behind closed doors, where specialists create the right setup to truly stage the stage for successful long-term operations in the new jurisdiction.

The post Gaming Titans Are Relocating to Malta to Save Millions in Taxes appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.