Unlock new growth through gift cards with Xsolla Gold Gift Card

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Unlock new growth through gift cards with Xsolla Gold Gift Card

September 29, 2025•5 min

For years, consumers thought of gift cards as seasonal stocking stuffers, a reliable fallback for birthdays and holidays. That perception is evolving quickly. Today, gift cards are a year-round driver of engagement, especially in digital entertainment. For the gaming industry, they’re more than a convenience; they’re emerging as one of the fastest-growing ways players pay, parents manage spending, and developers expand their reach.

The bigger market picture

Consumer behavior around gift cards is shifting in ways that directly benefit the gaming industry. The National Retail Federation ranks gift cards as the second most popular gift option across various categories, not just during the holiday season. Research from KPMG shows that the overall market is growing at double-digit rates year-over-year, driven by a broader shift in consumer preferences toward experiences over physical goods. Where games now command the most attention in the entertainment sector, this growth trend is even more pronounced. Analysts forecast that the global demand for gaming gift cards will triple by 2026, reaching $62 billion, primarily driven by the growth of online gaming and esports.

Why gaming is different

What makes gift cards especially powerful in gaming is the diverse set of audiences they serve. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha players, digital cards are intuitive, flexible, and easy to use across platforms. For parents, they offer transparency and control. U.S. regulators have even advised families to use gift cards instead of credit cards for in-game spending, emphasizing their role as a safer option. Gift cards also reach segments that often remain outside traditional payment funnels. Players under 18, or those concerned about using credit cards online, can participate in a safe and straightforward manner. For developers, this means every card sold has the potential to convert a non-paying player into a paying customer.

From habit to routine

One reason gift cards are becoming central to digital commerce is that customers come back. Newzoo research shows that 84% of gift card buyers will reuse them, making them part of their gift-giving routine, rather than as a one-time experiment. It's that stickiness that reduces acquisition costs for developers. Once a player understands the value and the process, they’re more likely to return, making gift cards a low-friction channel for repeat engagement.

Seasonal spikes and long-term growth

The winter shopping season remains the peak period, with more than 50% of consumers buying at least one gift card. But the value extends far beyond December. Major gaming releases planned for 2025 and 2026 will generate higher demand for in-game purchases and educate players on alternative payment methods. The cycle is repetitive: more blockbuster titles encourage more in-game spending, which in turn normalizes gift cards as a go-to payment solution. Developers who add cards to their payment mix aren’t just capitalizing on seasonal opportunities; they’re investing in a channel that will grow steadily year after year, expand their audience, and stabilize retention. Gift cards support long-term loyalty by giving players the freedom to choose. They lower barriers for hesitant buyers. They act as a bridge between communities, from teens trying out their first purchases to experienced players gifting digital content to their friends.

Take your game global with Xsolla Gold Gift Card

Option 2: Xsolla Gold Gift Card powers global reach With this backdrop of rapid growth, Xsolla has launched Xsolla Gold Gift Card, a gift card program built specifically for games. It gives partners two clear advantages. Firstly, it provides a fast track to branded or co-branded cards inside a proven ecosystem. Xsolla Gold Gift Card provides a fast solution for launching branded or co-branded gift cards within a proven ecosystem. With Xsolla managing the entire end-to-end process — starting from design to distribution — the barrier to entry is low and the implementation speed to market is high. Developers can quickly place their brand on cards, showcase co-branded designs, and boost game visibility on store shelves and digital gift card racks, reaching the best audience. Secondly, the card expands distribution immediately through Xsolla’s strong global retail network. Xsolla Gold Gift Cards are available at leading outlets, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and many others. This reach not only puts games in front of millions of shoppers already searching for gift cards, but also drives discoverability beyond traditional gaming audiences. With no retail fees and ability for seamless integration, developers gain a new sales channel that brings fresh players into their ecosystem and drives revenue growth. In today’s crowded market, it isn’t enough to build a great game. Developers need ways to connect with audiences that might otherwise remain out of reach. Gift cards offer one of the simplest and most transparent ways to do so. They expand the paying player base, smooth out acquisition costs, and open the door to sustained engagement. Beyond reach, Xsolla Gold Gift Card also enhances visibility. By meeting players where they already shop, Xsolla Gold Gift Card helps developers boost conversion, strengthen engagement, and extend their brand presence across markets.

Your best way forward

By partnering with Xsolla, developers have access to all the solutions, tools, and services they need to navigate the complexities of building and growing a successful game business effectively. Xsolla is your devoted partner, bringing decades of experience, global retail relationships, and deep expertise in gaming payments to every project. Whether you’re building your first gift card program or scaling an existing one, Xsolla helps you identify all the ways to reach new players and grow your business. To find out how Xsolla can show you more ways to generate revenue, talk with our experts. If you're ready to level up with Xsolla Gold Gift Cards, register with or sign into your Xsolla Publisher Account today.