When you think of online gaming, moms might not be the first players who come to mind—but they’re quickly becoming a force in the gaming world. From winding down with puzzle games on their phones to teaming up with friends in multiplayer adventures, more and more moms are embracing gaming as a way to relax, connect, and even bond with their families. 

A recent survey by Activision Blizzard Media called Mom’s Got Game showed that 87% of moms are active gamers. This growing trend is redefining what it means to be a gamer and proving that online gaming isn’t just for kids or teens—it’s for anyone looking for a little fun and escapism in their day.

What’s more, their devotion to the activity comes out in the fact that 80% of them play across several different devices, from consoles to cell phones and from PCs to tablets. Many are also active fans of iGaming.

Perhaps they have been introduced to casino games while on a family cruise. Or they may have been attracted by one of the many online ads that are so common these days. There are also many incentives to start playing, and promo codes can be helpful to start moms off with what, effectively, is free stake money. As the primary custodian of the family budget and holder of the purse strings, this is an undeniably attractive feature.

Why Moms Play

To return to mainstream gaming, various motivations get moms playing. The first of these is that they may well have been keen gamers themselves back in their youth. Sure, the games might not be as sophisticated as they are these days. But the essential appeal will have been the same. I

n the survey, it was found that 63% of the interviewees played to beat boredom, while 57% found it was a relaxing activity. 50% found it a useful diversion when they’re having trouble sleeping, and the same percentage found it a good way to enjoy some much-needed me-time.

But the most significant reason of all, for moms, is that gaming has proven to be a great way to bond with the kids while sharing an interest.

The Games They Play

If we’re relying on stereotypes here, you’d expect moms to stick to puzzle games and titles like the Candy Crush Saga. While these are indeed popular, the genres and titles enjoyed by them are far more wide-ranging. These include action games, fantasy role-play games and even driving titles like GTA – although the latter is probably best enjoyed without the kids’ involvement!

Why moms are a crucial target

It’s often said that it’s the mom who is at the very heart of the family, the glue that holds everything together, emotionally, financially, and practically too. It also so happens that they tend to be the key decision makers when it comes to purchases as well as being the person most likely to research what to buy and when to buy it. So, in an industry that relies on income from players, mom is most definitely the one to reach out to.

Secondly, in today’s hectic world, more and more moms are relying almost totally on online purchases. While this may not be such great news for physical retailers, it represents a great opportunity for online sellers. With the demise of CD-ROM, the gaming industry relies almost exclusively on online businesses for survival, and moms are ready and willing to make these purchases.

They may be for games the kids will play, but it’s equally likely that she will have an interest in them as well. Last but not least, moms are very social. They meet up with others on the school run, in the store, on WhatsApp and Messenger groups, and in many other ways.

This interconnectedness means they may well spread the word about a new game they’ve discovered. And you know what they say about word-of-mouth – it’s the best form of advertising that there is.

Where to next?

Given everything that has been learned about moms and their attitudes to gaming, perhaps we can expect the industry to go even further. So it’s not inconceivable that games specifically aimed at moms could soon become a thing, especially if they’re designed to be of multi-generational appeal. As to when and if this happens, we’ll just have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure, and that’s that gaming moms are here to stay.