Latest News
Could Smartphones Take Over Consoles in Popularity?
Video games are a big part of peoples’ lives, allowing players to connect with friends and relieve stress, and consoles are the vehicles. Since the first-ever console war in the 80s, the industry has been dominated by giants such as Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. UK households with access to a gaming console now stand at more than eight million.
It’s tempting to think that PlayStation and Xbox are unrivalled by those figures, yet it isn’t the case. Smartphones have been quietly taking over the iGaming sector for a while, to the point where 91% of phone users report playing games on their device in the last month.
Can smartphones become the new power? Here are the indicators that show they could in the future.
Mixed Demographics
Men and boys are the main console users – women and girls are playing too, but they aren’t as common as the guys – but smartphone users, and the people who play games on them, overlap. Women love to play on their mobile devices because 61% say it helps them relax and 40% believe it’s more interesting. For developers, this consumer base is incredibly lucrative as it means they can advertise a range of products and services for different players. This is reflected in the offerings, as the App Store and Google Play let users download everything from The Candy Crush Saga to League of Legends and Angry Birds. Betfair, a safe online bingo website, concentrates on digital bingo and scratch cards. Their RNG-driven games can be played both on desktops and mobile, which is one of their strongest appeals to the modern generation of gamers. Meanwhile Pokémon Go is a favourite globally, earning the developers $894mn in player spending.
Smartphone Numbers
A feature of smartphones that put them at the forefront of a gaming revolution is the numbers. 80% of UK adults own or have access to a mobile phone, which encourages downloads. App-wise, Statista highlights that twenty-billion were downloaded in the UK in 2020 alone, a boost of over four-billion in 2018. With this level of accessibility, it’s not hard to see how smartphones are starting to challenge consoles. In comparison, the eight million consoles in UK households are tiny when you consider smartphones’ popularity. And while they are used for different things, the average usage clearly shows more phone owners rely on their devices to game.
Screen Time
Three hours and 23 minutes per day – that’s the average screen time for a person in the UK. Over a year, this equates to fifty hours staring at a screen and scrolling through messages, social media and the internet. However, gaming is beginning to rank highly since, according to Wired Shopper, over 64% of people download one right away on a new phone. Not only does the level of time spent on a phone in the UK mean it’s more likely for people to play games, but a significant percentage of smartphone users actively split their time between gaming and everything else modern devices have to offer.
The figures highlight how more people are using phones as vehicles for gaming. In the future, the fact that 5G and streaming technology – Microsoft has developed the xCloud – will improve only increases the odds of smartphones taking over as the kings of the gaming world.
Latest News
7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner
Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts
Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.
As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.
“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”
By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.
Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
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