Examining trends in the North American gaming market

There are several reasons behind these growth predictions, including residents' increased ability to afford gaming investments. An increase in the number of free-to-play games and mobile games is also a relevant factor.

Across North America, people also have easier access to gaming than before. This improved accessibility is driven by smartphone usage and technology such as augmented reality (AR) and 5G. In the case of AR, the technology is part of its own booming gaming sector that includes popular titles such as Pokémon Go and Ingress. Game developers add new AI-related games to the global catalog on an ongoing basis.

5G is already impacting gaming industry figures in North America, and it will continue to do so. As the technology improves, it will drive higher data speeds and increased availability. These improvements are expected to lead to a higher number of 5G subscriptions in North America, from over 1.07 million in 2019 to around 399.99 million in 2027.

Looking more closely at the Canadian market, as one of the biggest North American gaming markets, products, technology, and expertise developed in the country are in high demand. This level of demand is driving the gaming industry in the country forward.

Progress in the Canadian gaming industry can be seen in dedicated sectors, such as commercial gaming. The country has one of the strongest commercial gaming sectors in the North American online gambling market, which is expected to achieve a CAGR of around 11.78% over the next five years.

Like gaming overall, commercial gaming has benefited from the evolution in mobile technology, VR, and 5G in recent years. Advancements in these technologies mean that online casinos in Canada are more readily available, 24 hours a day, and from any location with Internet access.

As more people take advantage of mobile access and 5G, all types of gaming in North America will experience further growth. In the US, 5G is expected to reach 96% of the population by 2025. In Canada, the reach is expected to be more like 80%. Both figures are good news for a gaming industry that relies on 5G to take it forward.

Innovation also has an essential role in the future of gaming in North America. A good example of this is the Xbox app for smart TVs that Microsoft released last year, enabling gamers to stream content without the need for a console. 

The high level of competition in the North American gaming industry means that developers seek to release equally innovative products to secure their place in the market. This competitive nature of the industry is essential to the future growth of North American gaming as it creates increased interest and promotes enhanced player engagement, which in turn increases the industry's value.