Data Drop: 5 Charts on US Gamer Demographics

Total gaming ad revenues in the US will reach $8.59 billion in 2024—up 6.7% from 2023—according to our forecast. We expect the number to continue growing at similar rates until 2028, mostly due to the 61% of adults, teens, and children who spend at least 1 hour per week playing video games, according to a May 2024 Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and YouGov report. Understanding gamers’ primary devices, preferred genres, and budgets can help advertisers strategize how to best reach them.

Gaming has increased across all age groups due to accessibility

Gen Zers (ages 12 to 27) account for the largest share of US digital gamers (27%) in 2024, per our forecast. Much of this is driven by the 75.1% of Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 who play online (or on a device that updates online via the internet) at least once a month—the highest rate among the age groups we track. However, the average age of a video game player has increased from 29 in 2004 to 36 in 2024, according to ESA and YouGov. This is indicative of smartphones and apps making gaming more accessible to consumers of all ages over the past two decades, as well as how gamers continue to engage in the activity as they mature.

Click here to view our full forecast for US digital gamers.