Betby, a premium sportsbook supplier, will be restoring its busy routine of travelling to international expos with its team of experts attending SiGMA Asia, in Manila, on June 3-5.
Considered as one of the biggest igaming gatherings in the Asian part of the world, Betby will be showcasing its premium sportsbook solution and products, including its proprietary Betby Games esports feed, and AI-based sportsbook tools under the umbrella of “AI Labs”.
Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Betby Games, will also be joining a panel of leading experts discussing in detail the growth of the eSports market. Together with his peers Nekrasov will also be discussing the inclusion of eSports in major sporting events, how it aids the diversification of revenue streams for operators and the potential implications for gambling sectors.
Online gaming communities could be a vital lifeline for young men struggling silently with mental health issues, according to new research.
Mycolleagues and I analyzed an all-male online football gaming community over the course of a year. We discovered that members who reported more depressive symptoms and less real-life support were roughly 40% more likely to form and maintain social ties with fellow gamers compared with those reporting more real-life support.
This finding suggests the chat and community features of online games might provide isolated young men an anonymous “third place” – or space where people can congregate other than work or home – to open up, find empathy and build crucial social connections they may lack in real life.
Online social spaces, like gaming communities, may offer an alternative avenue to find connection and discuss serious personal problems without the barriers of formal mental health services. The social features of online games allow players to privately chat and build friendships, potentially creating vital informal support networks. While not a substitute for professional care, these virtual forums could encourage discussion of mental health challenges among young men facing social isolation and untreated depression.
More comprehensive research is still needed, but the social features of online games may literally provide young men a lifeline when they have nowhere else to turn.
How we do our work
We asked members of a small online gaming community to tell us specifically who in the community they talked to about important life matters. Using an open-ended survey, we then asked about these conversations. We also asked them to report how often they felt certain depressive symptoms, as well as their feelings on in-person and online social support.
We found some members discussed deeply personal and sensitive topics with each other. Many mentioned talking about struggles like stress, anxiety and depression. Some brought up relationship problems they were facing with romantic partners or family members. Others sought advice on major life decisions related to jobs, moving or going back to school.
Several participants specifically said they confided about topics they felt unable to discuss with people in their real lives, suggesting these online friendships provided an outlet they were otherwise lacking. The depth of sharing indicates these online friendships had moved beyond superficial topics into deeper emotional support and bonding.
What still isn’t known
Our research was limited to 40 male participants interested in college football video games. Further investigations using larger, more diverse samples across various gaming genres are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
A key question is whether online social support directly improves depression – or are depressed individuals simply more inclined to seek connections virtually? Despite a massive industry and audience for online gaming, its mental health impacts remain murky.
What’s next
My colleagues and I are launching studies that analyze the impact of multiplayer games on teamwork, leadership and social skills in high school and college students compared with traditional extracurricular activities. We are also investigating how involvement in esports can cultivate lasting social relationships and foster a sense of community.
Through multiyear studies, we hope to understand online gaming’s risks – alongside its promise for improving mental health, social integration and life skills.
The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.
The Chinese government is ready to clamp down on all online gaming that has been considered unauthorized by the country.
The information came through the country’s National Radio and Television Administration during the week, urging all strictly forbidden games or gamers to stop their activities in the country.
Although the country’s law claims that games must be officially licensed before they are streamed, that rule has never been strictly followed. That has meant that games that are not officially approved by the government have found huge success online as millions stream those games on different platforms.
With the latest rule by the Chinese government, streaming unauthorized games online in China will now be very difficult.
Remember, just recently, the government has reduced the amount of time that Chinese children could spend playing online video games.
India is one country that wins by exporting its growing industry of game development over the years.
The country is now so sophisticated that it is growing and is noticed by international bodies for its online gaming talents which consist mainly of youths.
Some tech companies domiciled in India have built world-class games that continue to top download ranks in app stores.
That’s an example of how a society can shift in its way of satisfying its own entertainment needs.
Types of games popular in India
Counter-Strike
League of Legends
Fortnite
Board Game Arena
There are also other types of gaming categories in India. There are casino games, and other traditional games that keep people focused on the various types of entertainment they love.
Guests were evacuated at the Circus City Hotel and Casino as three people were sent to the hospital as a result of a shooting at the property; The latest figures from the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) have revealed a surprising downturn in October, despite the industry showing signs of recovery; Figures released by the Maryland Lottery & Gaming body show the industry is on the rebound, as October figures show Ohio casinos recorded record revenue; Tribal casinos continue to experience further construction delays due to the pandemic. The San Manuel Casino expansion in Highland is now not expected to open until 2022; With the 2020 US Presidential election now behind us, attention has already turned to 2024. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris is the early market favorite for the 2024 race that also includes Mike Pence and sitting President Donald Trump.
