A new Statista report released in January 2025 highlights a remarkable shift in the UK gaming scene, with older gamers driving significant growth. The data shows a 64% increase in gamers aged 55 to 64 over the past decade, with 41% of this age group now regularly engaging with games on phones, tablets or consoles. Accessible titles such as KIOS77 have grown popular with this demographic. To delve deeper into this trend, TalkTalk conducted a survey of 1,000 UK gamers aged 55 and over, uncovering how gaming is reshaping lives by enhancing cognitive function, fostering social connections and providing affordable entertainment.
Gaming grows among older adults
- Significant growth: Nearly half (41%) of adults aged 55–64 now game regularly, reflecting a 64% rise in this demographic’s participation from 2015 to 2025, according to Statista.
- Long-term hobby: Over a third (37%) of older gamers have been playing for 6 to 10 years, while 28% have enjoyed gaming for over a decade, showing it’s a well-established pastime.
- Cognitive benefits: A striking 59% of respondents cite keeping their minds sharp as their primary reason for gaming, aligning with research suggesting games can enhance cognitive skills.
- Stress relief: For 65% of older gamers, gaming serves as a therapeutic tool to relax and de-stress, echoing findings from the Entertainment Software Association that 75% of global players view games as stress-relieving.
- Social connection: Gaming fosters community, with 31% of older gamers engaging socially: 17% play online with friends, 14% with grandchildren, and 11% with younger relatives. Notably, 18% have made new online friends, and 7% have met these friends in person.
- Affordable entertainment: Most older gamers spend just £50 annually, making gaming a budget-friendly hobby compared to other leisure activities.
- Puzzle power: Puzzle games dominate, with 70% of older gamers regularly playing them for mental stimulation, a trend supported by Statista data showing 65% of US gamers enjoy puzzle titles.
- Time spent gaming: On average, gamers aged 55 and up dedicate over eight hours weekly to gaming, with 4% playing more than 20 hours, highlighting its role as a significant pastime.
Older adults rewrite who games
This surge in older gamers challenges stereotypes that gaming is a young person’s domain. The TalkTalk survey underscores how older adults are embracing technology to stay mentally active and socially connected. For instance, puzzle games like Candy Crush and Solitaire are popular for their accessibility and cognitive benefits, appealing to health-conscious seniors. Mobile devices, used by 34% of UK adults for gaming, further enhance accessibility, making gaming a convenient outlet for relaxation and engagement.
Social ties, lower isolation and cheap leisure
Gaming’s social benefits are particularly striking. By connecting with friends, family, and even strangers online, older gamers combat social isolation, a growing concern in later life. The 18% who have formed new friendships through gaming highlight its potential to build communities, with some even forging real-world connections. This aligns with a 2023 Statista study noting that 88% of gamers worldwide say gaming helps them connect with others.
The affordability of gaming also makes it appealing. With most spending just £50 a year, it offers hours of entertainment at a fraction of the cost of other hobbies, such as cinema visits or dining out. This accessibility, combined with the mental and social benefits, positions gaming as a powerful tool for well-being among older adults.
The findings offer a fresh perspective on ageing and technology, showing how gaming is redefining fulfilment in later life. As the UK gaming market grows, projected to reach 59 million users by 2029, older gamers are proving that age is no barrier to enjoying the cognitive, social, and emotional rewards of gaming.
