Gift cards in the gaming industry

Gift cards are rapidly becoming a preferred payment method in gaming. While retail (57%) and restaurant (52%) industries dominate the market, gaming gift cards are on the rise. In fact, over 30% of consumers purchased a gaming gift card, and of those who bought one for the first time in 2023, 84% plan to buy more in 2024. As digital transactions continue to rise, more players are looking for flexible, convenient, and secure ways to purchase games and in-game content. This signals a massive shift in how players are choosing to pay for their gaming experiences. In the US, Google Play gift cards led average spending per device in the electronics and gaming category in 2021, with U.S. consumers spending just under $47 per device on Google Play gift cards. Average spend on electronic and game gift cards in the US, 2021
Source: Statista These trends reinforce a key insight: players are actively using gift cards to fund their gaming experiences – whether it’s for purchasing games, unlocking premium content, or gifting to friends and family. For developers and publishers, this trend represents more than just another payment method — it’s an opportunity to boost revenue, reach new audiences, and enhance player retention. By integrating a widely recognized and easily accessible payment option, developers can lower purchase friction, increase in-game transactions, and create a more inclusive and rewarding experience for players worldwide. That’s where the Xsolla Gold Gift Card comes in. Designed specifically for the gaming industry, it offers a frictionless way for players to purchase and redeem in-game content, subscriptions, and virtual goods. With this payment method, developers can expand their revenue streams and increase overall player engagement — all while making transactions more accessible to a global audience.

What is Xsolla Gold Gift Card?

The Xsolla Gold Gift Card is the latest addition to Xsolla’s payment solutions, providing players with a simple, convenient, and globally accessible way to purchase and redeem virtual goods and in-game content without the need for credit cards or traditional payment methods. Available in both digital and physical formats, it simplifies transactions, enhances gifting, amplifies referrals to your games and drives repeat engagement. Benefits for developers For developers, Xsolla Gold Gift Card offers a new monetization channel that can drive more traffic to your game and strengthen brand loyalty while being easy to integrate into existing payment systems. UNLOCKS NEW REVENUE STREAMS Gift cards have become a massive driver of revenue for many industries. Consider Target, which reported $7 billion in gift card sales in 2023. Even Amazon disclosed that gift cards made up approximately 5% of their total revenue that year. Now, developers can tap into this lucrative market by integrating the Xsolla Gold Gift Card into their payment systems. BOOST PLAYER SPENDING & BRAND LOYALTY When players receive a prepaid balance, they are more likely to spend it in-game. This encourages repeat transactions, boosting lifetime value and retention rates. Gift cards also open the door to co-branded partnerships with retailers and distributors, helping developers increase brand awareness and strengthen loyalty among players. EXPANDS YOUR GAME’S REACH Gift cards appeal to casual and new players who might not otherwise spend money on a game. Millennials and Gen Z—who prioritize digital-first experiences—are the driving force behind this trend.

• Millennials make up 37% of all gift card purchases
• 75% of them prefer digital gift cards over physical ones

With the Xsolla Gold Gift Card, you tap into a new audience while making your game more accessible. EASY INTEGRATION WITH XSOLLA Xsolla Gold Gift Card can be incorporated into promotional campaigns, seasonal events, and loyalty programs, helping developers maximize revenue opportunities while boosting player retention and lifetime value. It’s designed for seamless integration with existing payment systems, allowing developers to quickly add a flexible and widely recognized payment option to their games. Whether you’re already using Xsolla Pay Station or other monetization tools, integrating gift card support is fast, hassle-free, and scalable. Benefits for players SEAMLESS GIFTING AND EASY TRANSACTIONS Xsolla Gold Gift Card, available in both physical and digital formats, provides a straightforward way to purchase games, in-game currency, and premium content. Unlike traditional payment methods, which may require account details or subscriptions, a gift card is a one-time purchase that gives the recipient instant access to game-enhancing content. KEEPS PLAYERS ENGAGED AND SPENDING Providing players with a frictionless way to add funds to their accounts increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and longer play sessions. Unlike direct credit card transactions, which may involve payment declines or hesitation due to banking limits, a prepaid balance from a gift card encourages users to spend freely within the game. Developers can leverage this by offering exclusive bonuses, discounts, or in-game rewards for gift card users, further incentivizing engagement. CONVENIENT, SECURE & GLOBAL Not all players have access to credit cards, PayPal, or bank accounts—especially younger audiences or those in regions with limited financial services. The Xsolla Gold Gift Card removes these barriers by offering an alternative payment solution that is prepaid, secure, and easy to use. Players can purchase a gift card from a participating retailer or online vendor and redeem it instantly without needing to share personal banking information. This makes it an ideal choice for privacy-conscious consumers and those who prefer prepaid options.

Why Xsolla Gold Gift Card is a game-changer

Traditional monetization methods rely on players having credit cards, but Xsolla Gold Gift Card removes this barrier, making it easier for players to purchase content and keeping them invested in your game. Beyond in-game purchases, Xsolla Gold Gift Card can increase brand visibility, putting your game in front of new audiences. The Xsolla Gold Gift Card also expands audience reach, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, who favor prepaid options. It also provides a trusted, secure, and localized payment solution, removing barriers that might prevent transactions. Prepaid balances encourage spending because players see gift cards as dedicated gaming funds. They are more likely to redeem and spend the full balance, leading to higher conversion rates and repeat purchases. Developers can amplify this by offering exclusive in-game rewards for gift card users, increasing player retention and lifetime value. For free-to-play games, Xsolla Gold Gift Card can help convert non-paying players into paying customers. Many casual users hesitate to enter payment details, but gift cards offer a frictionless way for them to make purchases, unlocking a new revenue stream that would otherwise be lost. Get started with Xsolla Gold Gift Card Gift cards are a proven revenue driver in gaming, offering players a simple, accessible way to purchase in-game content without the need for traditional payment methods. With demand for prepaid options growing, developers who integrate gift cards into their monetization strategy can reach new players, increase conversions, and improve retention. Xsolla Gold Gift Card is designed to simplify transactions, expand audience reach, and drive repeat spending, letting you capture more revenue from more players, including younger audiences and those in regions with limited banking access. If you’d like to see how adding this new monetization tool can be added to your existing payment system, schedule a meeting with one of our payments experts or login to your Publisher Account to learn more.