These days gaming offers something for everyone. Male and female, boys and girls, they all game in their own way. The gaming industry keeps growing. But how many people play these days? And why are people gaming? TNS Nipo conducted in 2009 a research on ‘Gaming’ in a couple of countries including France.
63% of the French population is playing with an average of 5.5 hours per week. The most fanatic players are boys between 8 and 19 years old, around 95% games between the 6.6-9.3 hours per week. 92% of the girls between 8 and 12 is playing games, but with a lower average than boys. Per week they have an average of 4.5 hours. Males over 50 years old game the least with 33% and an average of 3.9 hours per week.
There are two things important if we look at the reasons why people play. First people like to play because it’s ‘relaxing and unwinding’. Secondly, people like to game because ‘they’re bored’. When people game they mostly game alone in their own home. Sometimes people play with others in their household or with friends at a friend’s house.
Men mostly like the genre action. The genre action covers strategy, racing, shooter and adventure games. Women like casual games, such as mahjong, puzzles, brain training, and card games. Striking in genres are casino games. In France casino games are popular amongst male gamers. 18% plays casino games on their mobile phones. Women also like casino games; they play around 9% casino games on the mobile phones.
The French operators PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) & FDJ (La Française de Jeux) noted a growth in 2009. PMU’s online turnover grew with 22% and with a sales of 661 million. Especially the mobile gambling market is growing. PMU noted an increase of 12% and a sales of 6.6 million. FDJ rose with 8.6% and a sales of 10 billion.
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