Gaming is global. Even the gaming community is largely a global one. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t differences between gaming conventions in different cultures, as with any type of entertainment that’s accessible from all over the world.
If we look at how gaming of all kinds – PC and console gaming, mobile gaming, casino gaming – differs in different parts of the world, what we find is interesting both in similarities and differences. Let’s take a closer look at gaming in different parts of the world!
The Popularity of Gaming in North America
The American video game industry is big – in fact, it’s the biggest in the world. It’s no wonder, then, that video games are such an ingrained part of the culture. Here, gaming in all forms is common. This includes PC gaming, console gaming, and mobile gaming. Even VR gaming has a decently sized market here.
Especially in the USA, gaming is closely tied to pop culture. Many gamers are influencers and stream on Twitch or YouTube, but at the same time, it’s also quite performance-oriented. In other words, the emphasis lies both on entertainment and performance. For many gamers, the community is also very important. Multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and League of Legends are not just games, but also social hubs.
With the importance of performance, it’s no wonder esports is also big. Some of the biggest esports events in the world are held in the US.
While the casino gaming culture is strong in many parts of the US – and illegal in a few – there’s generally a bit of a negative stigma around casinos. Las Vegas is, of course, the most well-known city for gambling.
The online gambling sector is also a big and quickly growing one. For those who want to explore online casinos, there’s a guide by Esports Insider that picks out VPN-friendly casinos that can be visited from players all over the world. As these casinos have been vetted by experts, they’re among the best options on the net.
In Canada, gambling is also widespread and generally accepted. According to studies, the majority of adult Canadians occasionally gamble either at a casino, by betting, or by buying lottery tickets.
Gaming as Entertainment and Sport in Europe
The gaming scene in Europe varies by region. The northern and western parts are heavy on PC and strategy games, while console games dominate in Southern Europe. In Eastern Europe, there is a strong PC gaming tradition, and MMO games are the most popular.
There is a balanced view of gaming as both entertainment and as a potential career – esports is popular, but so is casual gaming. Many of the highest-earning esports players are European.
In most parts of Europe, casinos and betting are legal and even culturally tolerated, if not embraced. At the same time, they’re tightly regulated, and measures are taken to protect players against gambling addiction. In the UK, gambling is seen as mainstream entertainment.
Competitive Esports and Gambling in Asia
The culture and gaming habits in Asia are quite varied in different parts. South East Asia is known to be superb at esports, with some of the biggest stars being from South Korea and China.
For many people, Japan is synonymous with gaming culture. While gaming is also really big, with internet cafes being very common, gaming is often less competitive. Mobile gacha games are popular, and so are console games.
In South Asian countries, like India, mobile gaming is king. Cheap smartphones that many people have access to make PUBG Mobile and Free Fire among the most popular games.
Gambling is less accepted. Also, large parts of most developed countries in Asia, such as China and Japan, have banned or restricted it. While gray or black-market betting is still a thing, this limits the growth of the potential industry.
Some parts of Asia are seeing emerging casinos. One prominent example of such a country is Macau, where many people go specifically to enjoy the many casinos. The Philippines and Singapore are other countries where gambling is permitted but regulated.
The Emerging Gaming Scene of Latin America
While the esports scene in Latin America is slowly growing, it’s so far been fairly hindered by a lack of infrastructure and investments. Most gaming is done on phones and is often done together with the community – something the culture is known to be focused on in all Latin American communities.
How gambling is looked upon is quite mixed in Latin America. Although informal betting on popular sports like soccer is very common, formal casinos are less culturally accepted. That isn’t true for all countries, though.
Argentina, Colombia, and Costa Rica have plenty of physical casino venues. All Latin American countries, except for Ecuador, allow for some type of gambling. Read more about the legalities of gambling in Latin America.
The Growing Community in the Middle East & Africa
Although it varies from country to country, the Middle East and Africa are, in general, parts of the world where gaming is less widespread. From the type of games that are played, it’s mainly mobile gaming.
Console gaming and PC gaming are more popular in the wealthier parts of the Middle East, like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, but still at a much smaller scale than, say, North America.
Many countries in these areas are also more conservative societies, but video games are a relatively accepted entertainment outlet. The Middle Eastern gaming community is focused on group play and multiplayer games rather than esports.
In many of these countries, gambling is largely forbidden for religious reasons or even illegal. While underground betting still exists, it lacks legal frameworks and is often loosely organized.
Things are changing quickly, though. As Africa and the Middle East are both experiencing rapid growth and developing infrastructure, gaming is becoming more common for entertainment. The esports sector is also growing – in a few years, we’re likely to see lots of emerging players from these parts of the world.
Conclusion
Although there are different levels of and perceptions of gaming all over the world, it’s clear that it’s something the whole world wants a part of. In the places of the world where it’s less popular right now, the interest is quickly growing.
The gaming scene is always changing, and in a few years, a look at the global situation is likely to show a very different situation – one even more vibrant than the one we’ve explored today!
