The rising popularity of online gaming and how eGaming has become a social lifeline

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed our lives, our priorities, and how we choose to spend our time and we cope with difficult times and unprecedented circumstances. When the pandemic began in early 2020, telecom giant Verizon reported that gaming usage rose by more than 75 percent as millions of people spent more time at home due to the pandemic restrictions and government lockdowns.

While many sectors of the economy have been decimated by the pandemic, the gaming industry, especially the iGaming and online gambling sector experienced a major boost. In addition, gaming sites like Epic and  Roblox, and streaming platforms like Netflix have become the go-to entertainment sources for millions to manage the global pandemic.

Now with the availability of vaccines, people have slowly returned back to their normal lives. So, the question is: Why is online gaming so popular? The reality is that, before the pandemic began, online gaming was already experiencing exponential growth as more and more moved away from land-based game stores and casinos. Just like the pandemic accelerated the shift away from physical stores to online shopping, the pandemic also caused people to embrace online gaming.

Second, we live at a time when we are socially disconnected from one another. Online gaming provides an atmosphere where people can socialize and get to meet others with similar interests. The other important reason is that for the booming eGaming or online casino industry is that online games are affordable, compared to land-based games. The affordability has led millions in developing countries like India to participate in online gaming.

In some cases, there are virtual games that do not require cash, instead, the players get extra rewards and other incentives. In India, for example, web-based casinos offer genuine cash that can be used to buy a wide range of widgets.

In closing, online gaming is not just about playing to make money, it’s also an outlet to build much-need connections when you’re in isolation. However, it’s also very easy for the love of gaming to cross into the danger zone. Online games can be addictive as gamers and players spend too much time online.