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Power League Gaming Survey Reveals Player Trends In UAE & KSA
The report in partnership with Ipsos reveals regional differences in the gaming landscape, including mobile dominance, spending, and inclusivity.
Power League Gaming (PLG), a leading esports marketing agency in the MENA region, has teamed up with market research firm Ipsos to deliver insights into the gaming habits and preferences of players in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The report, based on a December 2024 survey of 300 respondents from each country, sheds light on how these two gaming hubs are evolving.
Gaming Cultures In UAE And KSA
The gaming landscapes in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have distinct characteristics: In the UAE, gamers dedicate an average of 1.2 hours per day to their hobby, while in Saudi Arabia, daily gaming time is slightly lower at one hour.
However, Saudi Arabia boasts a younger and increasingly diverse player base, with 59% aged 15-24 and 27% identifying as female. In contrast, the UAE’s gaming audience is more mature and multicultural, with 62% being expatriates and 36% aged 30 or older.
Mobile Dominates, But Other Platforms Remain Popular
Across both nations, mobile gaming is the most popular platform: In the UAE, 77% of gamers play on mobile devices, while 71% in Saudi Arabia do the same. Console gaming, however, has a stronger foothold in Saudi Arabia, with 50% of players opting for consoles compared to 46% in the UAE.
Meanwhile, the UAE leads in PC gaming, with 45% of gamers choosing desktops or laptops, compared to 34% in Saudi Arabia. These variations reflect differences in accessibility, affordability, and gaming culture in each country.
Diverse Tastes And The Role Of Localized Content
Game preferences also show distinct trends. In Saudi Arabia, Fortnite is a top choice, particularly among younger players and women. Meanwhile, PUBG and EAFC (EA Sports FC) appeal more to male gamers. In the UAE, game engagement is spread across popular titles like Minecraft, PUBG, and Fortnite, catering to a wider audience. Across both markets, localized content — including culturally relevant themes and language options — plays a key role in keeping gamers engaged.
Spending Habits And Brand Influence
In-game purchases are an integral part of the gaming ecosystem in both countries. In Saudi Arabia, 67% of gamers spend on virtual items, with an average monthly expenditure of SAR 87, while 66% of UAE gamers spend an average of AED 92. Purchasing decisions are often influenced by online reviews, social media, and discounts, presenting a clear opportunity for brands to connect with gamers through targeted marketing strategies.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Unveils World’s First Gaming And eSport District
Gaming As Part Of Daily Life
Gaming has become more than just entertainment — it’s now a lifestyle. In Saudi Arabia, six in ten gamers report eating or drinking while playing, illustrating how gaming blends into daily routines. Both UAE and Saudi gamers also actively engage with gaming-related content on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, reinforcing gaming’s role as a social and cultural passtime.
The findings from Ipsos underscore the thriving gaming culture in both countries, each with distinct opportunities for growth. While the UAE’s gaming scene is shaped by its diverse and tech-savvy population, Saudi Arabia’s younger and increasingly inclusive gaming community signals a strong future for the industry.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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