Israeli gamers spend 97% more than average Visa cardholders, says Visa report
The surge in gaming for entertainment mirrors broader European trends, with Israeli gamers showing significant engagement and high transaction volumes.
Israeli gamers are leading the charge in consumer spending, with expenditures nearly double (97%) those of average Visa cardholders in Israel, and transaction volumes 1.8 times higher. A new study by Visa reveals that gaming for entertainment is a rapidly growing sector in Israel, mirroring broader European trends and underscoring the significant engagement and expenditure on gaming among Israeli Visa cardholders.
The study by Visa, the digital payments company, reveals that consumer spending on gaming for entertainment in Europe has surged by 16.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth rate is 40% higher than the overall increase in spending by Visa cardholders, positioning the gaming sector as one of the fastest-growing in Europe.
Visa data indicates that expenditure on gaming for entertainment has outpaced sectors such as travel (by 60%), fashion (by 75%), and theater and cinema (by 85%) in the past year.
Key Findings:
- European Gaming Market Growth: Consumer spending on gaming has significantly outstripped other entertainment sectors in Europe.
- The Rise of Gaming Content Creators: Over a quarter (28%) of gamers say that content creators play a crucial role in their spending decisions. 53% follow gaming influencers at least weekly, and this number rises to 70% among 18-24-year-olds.
- Content Creation and Monetization: A substantial portion of gamers are involved in content creation, with 30% either streaming (11%) or sharing gaming-related content on social networks (19%). Among content creators, 21% identify as "gaming content creators," and over half (52%) would consider becoming one in the future.
- Income Generation: Two in five (41%) content creators generate income, and an additional 56% are interested in monetizing their activities. Common income sources include streaming (41%), subscriptions (40%), and consumer purchases through their content (38%).
- Financial Potential: 30% of those earning income from content creation receive over £1,000 per month, with nearly all (96%) anticipating significant income growth in the coming year.
- Challenges Faced by Content Creators: The main challenges for gaming content creators include increasing their audience (34%), technical aspects such as receiving payments (35%), and understanding platform rules (34%). For those not yet generating income, key obstacles are growing and retaining a fan base (46%), securing sponsorships and brand collaborations (35%), and creating engaging content (34%).
Kim Kadlec, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Visa Europe, notes that gamers in Europe represent a digitally savvy and significant demographic, with gaming for entertainment serving as a central source of connection and creativity, particularly among younger audiences.
Visa recognizes content creators as small businesses and aims to support them in receiving payments quickly and securely.
A majority (81%) of gamers believe that playing or watching games or esports improves their problem-solving and quick-thinking abilities. Gaming content creators share this view, with many feeling it enhances their web design and digital skills (71%).
