High Scores and Higher IQs: Who’s Really Winning the Console Brain Game?
Updated 2025 results
Playing video games does have its benefits, as recent studies have shown that enjoying some online action can improve your brain and cognitive function, but you may have reservations, particularly if you’ve ever tried multiplayer games.
To find out which video game player bases are the smartest, WhichBingo surveyed 1,010 gamers (aged 18+) and partnered up with a team of psychologists to administer an intelligence test based on a variety of factors.
The remote IQ test assessed the cognitive skills of participants in four areas: verbal communication, mathematics, logic and visual reasoning.
Participants were asked which games they primarily play and on what device (the most), to determine the results. So, let’s see who the final bosses are…
Advertiser Disclosure: When you use WhichBingo, there are never any hidden fees or costs. To help fund our work we may earn a referral commission if you create an account via our site. This commission never impacts the impartiality of our reviews and ratings.
18+. Welcome offer for new players residing in Great Britain only. Opt in to the offer and deposit £25 for the first time to get up to 140 Free Spins (20 Free Spins per day for 7 consecutive days on selected games). Free Spins must be manually claimed each day during the 7-day period via the pop-up. Unclaimed spins expire at midnight and do not roll over. Once claimed, Free Spins expire after 3 days. Failure to log in forfeits that day’s Free Spins only; eligibility for future days is unaffected. Free spin value: £0.1. Maximum Free Spins winnings: £100/day. Winnings from Free Spins are credited as bonus money, subject to a 10x wagering requirement, and expire after 7 days if the wagering requirement is not met. Some games may not be played with bonus funds. One bonus allowed per person, address, device, IP. Own payment methods only. Play Responsibly! www.gambleaware.org For full Bonus Terms and Conditions, please click here. Read our Responsible Gaming and General Terms and Conditions for more information.
New players only | Deposit & wager at least £10 to get free spins | Free Spins winnings are cash | No max cash out | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill deposits excluded | Free Spins value £0.20 per spin | Free Spins expire in 48 hours |. Full T&Cs Apply.
*18+. New Players Only. Min £10 deposit. 11 Welcome Spins on the Pink Elephants 2. Wager-free. The Welcome Spins need to be activated in your account within seven (7) calendar days and used within 24 hours. Welcome offer: 35x Wagering. Game availability & restrictions apply. Full T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. GambleAware.org. #AD
18+ New players only. Min deposit £10 and £10 stake on slot games required. 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash credited automatically. Free Spins value: £0.10 each. Free Spins expire 48 hours after crediting. No wagering on Free Spins; winnings paid as cash. Full T&C’s apply.
18+. New Customers Only. Deposit & Spend £10 on any Casino or Slot games for 100 Free Spins (selected games, value £0.10 each, claim within 7 days, valid 7 days). T&Cs apply.
New players only | Deposit & Wager at least £10 to get free spins | Free Spins winnings are cash | No max cash out | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill deposits excluded | Free Spins value £0.10 per spin | Free Spins expire in 48 hours | Free bet offer: Minimum odds: 2.0 | Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings.
New players only | Deposit & wager at least £10 to get free spins | Free Spins winnings are cash | No max cash out | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill deposits excluded | Free Spins value £0.10 per spin | Free Spins expire in 48 hours | T&C’s Apply
*18+ New members only. Must sign up via this offer link. Min £10 cash deposit and wager on any Slot Game only within 7 days of sign-up. Must accept free spins within 7 days of pop-up notification, valid for 7 days from acceptance on Eye of Horus. 10p coin size per free spin, max lines. Click here for full Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #AD
18+ New Customers. Opt in. Deposit & play £10 on any Big Bass Slot games within 7 days. Get 100 Free on Big Bass Halloween & Big Bass Halloween 2 Slot games. Rewards expire after 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly. Full T&Cs Apply.
18+. New players only. One offer per player. Min deposit £20. Max bonus bet £5. Offer: 100% match bonus on 1st deposit up to £100 + 100 free spins. Free spins expire in 72h, winnings capped at £100, credited as cash and are immediately withdrawable. Bonus funds expire in 30 days and are subject to 10x wagering of the bonus funds. Only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. Affordability checks and Terms apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
If you’re exploring ways to test your cognitive skills beyond video games, trying games on new casino sites could offer a fresh and strategic challenge.
Top 20 Smartest Player Bases: League of Legends Dominates, FC26 at the Bottom
Coming out on top is the ever-popular Dota 2, where players of the strategy game scored the highest IQ on average with 120.8, and jumped up seven places from 2024 to claim first place.
That is followed by players of League Of Legends who came in with an average of 120.2 which dropped one place to take second place. Rounding out the top three are gamers of Counter Strike with an average IQ of 118.3.
Gamers of new releases fared strongly overall, with Elden Ring Nightreign, which was released in May 2025, scoring 117.3, while Battlefield 6 scored an average of 111.2.
For context, IQ scores sub 85 is deemed below average intelligence, a score between 85 – 115 is deemed average intelligence, while anything over 115 is deemed above average intelligence.
The recent findings show strategy games and those with role-playing narratives rank high whilst the latest release in the EA Sports FC franchise recorded the lowest IQ in the study, with an average of 90.4.
The Device Duel: PC Players Come Out On Top
When it comes to ranking IQ by device games are played on, PC gamers reigned supreme, with an average of 114.8.
Playstation gamers followed in second place with an average IQ of 112.7 and beat X Box gamers who scored 107.4. Those gamers who like to play on the move on either their mobile or tablet ranked lowest with an average of 100.2.
Gender IQ comparison: Female gamers leading the way
Contrary to stereotypes, the study found that female gamers beat their male counterparts in terms of average IQ. Female gamers recorded an average IQ of 108.1, while male gamers averaged 106.7.
2024 comparison
Compared to the 2024 survey, there are some notable changes with Dota 2 climbing seven places to take top spot as 2024’s results saw an average IQ of 111.7. League of Legends remained strong with its second-place finish after scoring an average of 120.4 while Counter Strike and Elden Ring: Nightreign still remained high in the poll with average IQ scores las year of 116.1 and 114.6 respectively.
Battlefield 6 also saw a rise in the poll, moving up three places after an increase on last year’s score of 105.8. Despite an improved average, FC 26 was rock bottom much like its predecessor FC 25 which scored 89.8 in 2024 while Rocket League finished just ahead much like it did in 2024, after getting an average of 90.8.
There were strong showings for new entries that didn’t rank in 2024 with Dying Light: The Beast scoring an average of 115.6 and Kingdom Come Deliverance: 2 coming in just behind at 115.4. Borderlands 4 also made it onto the list with a score of 112.5 and will be hoping to consolidate that position in 2026.
How Strategy and Intelligence Play a Role in Bingo
In bingo, strategic thinking and pattern recognition are key to winning. Discover the best bingo sites where smart gamers can excel here.
What do you make of these results? Are we missing your favourite game? Which titles would you like to see included in 2026?
*18+ New members only. Must sign up via this offer link. Min £10 cash deposit and wager on any Slot Game only within 7 days of sign-up. Must accept free spins within 7 days of pop-up notification, valid for 7 days from acceptance on Eye of Horus. 10p coin size per free spin, max lines. Click here for full Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #AD
*18+. New Players Only. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30 day expiry from deposit. 18+. Free Spins: on MONOPOLY Paradise Mansion. 1p coin size, max lines. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. Please gamble responsibly. Gambleaware.org #AD
New members only, must opt in. Not valid with other Welcome Offer(s). Min £10 deposit & £10 wager on slots game(s). 30 day expiry from deposit. Free Spins: on Big Bass Splash. 1p coin size, 10 lines. Play Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager (excl. sports betting). 30 day expiry from deposit. Extra Spins: on Double Bubble. 1p coin size, max lines. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. #AD. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org.
New members only, must opt in. Not valid with other Welcome Offer(s). Min £10 deposit & £10 wager on slots game(s). 30-day expiry from deposit. Free Spins on Eye Of Horus: Legacy Of Gold. 1p coin size, 10 lines. Play Responsibly. 18+ #AD
A 60-year-old Wigan local has become the very first person in the UK to claim the new £250,000 jackpot in the National Bingo Game. The woman’s Tuesday night catch-up with her daughter at the Wigan Club 3000 turned into a moment she’ll never forget. “When my numbers were called, I was in total shock. “At first, I thought it was a false call, but when I realised it wasn’t, I…
The National Bingo Game clearly doesn’t care about omens because, despite it being Friday the 13th, they have just launched a new jackpot. To celebrate the launch, they’ve also released new research into the quirky habits and traditions of bingo fans across the country. A quick heads-up: Whether you’re wearing your lucky socks or sitting in your “magic” chair, remember that bingo is a game of pure chance. We love…
Charlie Shakespeare is on his travels again (he doesn’t sit still for a minute, does he!). This time, Charles is in the big smoke to uncover the magic of the famous venue: the Hippodrome Casino. Opened over 120 years ago, the Hippodrome has been everything from an arena with a 100,000-gallon water tank sunk into the floor to where escapologist Harry Houdini performed in 1904, and a Peter Stringfellow-run club. Now,…
UK romantics are officially ditching roses, chocolates, and teddy bears in favour of experiences and memories. According to recent survey data, a massive 70.9% of Brits now prefer a shared experience over a physical gift. But, the survey of over 500 UK residents also revealed that nearly 64% of people agree that spending money isn’t a valid measurement of love. From fancy dinners to high-energy bingo raves, the focus has…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Every December, game studios unwrap their festive releases. Cue games with Santa and jingling soundtracks. We’ve tested the newest and most popular Christmas slot games, checked the small print, and brought together the ones that genuinely stand out. In true WhichBingo style, here’s your honest guide to the best Christmas slot games 2025. What they do well, who they suit, and where to play them safely. The 6 Best Christmas Slot…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
If you’ve dropped in to WhichBingo recently and thought “has someone been decorating in here?”” the answer is yes, yes we have. We’ve given our homepage a refresh, keeping in all your favourite parts like bingo, slots, and casino site recommendations. Everything is now just a bit easier to find and a lot more useful. So What’s Actually Changed? The biggest and most exciting addition is our brand new site finder tool…
The honeymoon phase with dating apps is officially over. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Brits admit they still think the day is relevant, but are ready to leave apps behind. A study of more than 500 Brits shows that 82% of single people would now prefer to meet a potential partner “naturally at a social event” rather than through a screen. This desire for organic connection comes as app fatigue sets…
If you think the WhichBingo Awards are all subdued applause and canapés, think again! In 2025, we welcomed 180 industry guests and spent 48 hours transforming the venue, followed by a full day of tech rehearsals. Behind the scenes our annual event has built up a fair bit of history, along with a few moments that still get talked about long after the trophies are handed out. From floating venues to a…
UK romantics are officially ditching roses, chocolates, and teddy bears in favour of experiences and memories. According to recent survey data, a massive 70.9% of Brits now prefer a shared experience over a physical gift. But, the survey of over 500 UK residents also revealed that nearly 64% of people agree that spending money isn’t a valid measurement of love. From fancy dinners to high-energy bingo raves, the focus has…
by
Nic McBride
3min
Updated January 12, 2026
Shaun Frackleton
PR specialist
Working in sports betting and iGaming for the likes of Sky Sports Racing, Light & Wonder and iGP, Shaun has experience in delivering engaging written and social content which enhances brand reputation across various markets. Now working within GDC Group, Shaun is part of the PR activation process for the Group\'s brands, including WhichBingo, the UK\'s leading platform for reviews, offers and news in online bingo, slots, and casino gaming.
Your comment is awaiting moderation and will be posted soon. Thank you for taking part in our discussion and helping fellow players!
Druid
August 7th, 2025, 08:23
Down down down by the river
Mada
October 24th, 2024, 10:51
You don't need a big sample of players to generate accurate data. However 1000 participants means 50 participant per game, which is definitely way too small to make a representative sample. Also as some say, it is not randomized but based on willingness to respond. Regarding the IQ difference based on gender, the amounts are too close to be called significant. Linked with sample size, it is simply wrong to draw a conclusion based on that. There are lies, and there are statistics. But hey, journalists love to do that anyway, money is more important than truth. Also I'm not that surprised seeing lol on top of the list, it is a high pressure strategy game where the best decision makers win the game. I assume no Draven mains participated.
Günther
October 24th, 2024, 05:10
This article is not a scientific source or of any valuable information. 1. None of the claims are backed up. 2. No scientists or university worked on this paper. 3. The original paper has not been published means it does not exist. 4. The data is too vague for there to have been an actual survey. 5. No actual research confirms that gaming requires a high IQ, since these do not correlate. My personal opinion on this: I have been made aware of this article by students and I have to say how people can believe a "study" published by a website that mainly deals with gambling and gaming, but is not known for conducting actual studies, shows that a lot of people will believe anything that favours them, without cross checking for any evidence. A little tip for everyone, who is trying to win actual arguments with this or - God forbid - use this as a source in scientific research: Don't. Only use online articles that have valid sources, since the online world has it made it simpler than ever to claim and publish false information and the fact, that a lot of people will believe it anyway, makes the internet such a dangerous place.
n00ance
October 23rd, 2024, 03:12
I love how the literal premise (despite 4 of my favorite games being in the top 10) is literally just "we're going to say we conducted a survey and then just post a listicle"
VincentD
October 8th, 2024, 09:35
I'm wondering how the games have been selected? Why are Fortnite, Minecraft, Zelda and many more are not in the list? Thanks
jarda
October 8th, 2024, 09:30
what about classic doom?
your mum
October 8th, 2024, 11:02
your iq probs sub 30
freddy
October 7th, 2024, 18:31
I have a few questions. What was the age distribution of the participants? What was the name of the types of assessments used? Where is the source for these claims? I tried googling, and all the articles I saw pointed back to this page. I would love to see the paper these claims are based on, I have so many questions.
Pedram
October 7th, 2024, 14:07
How about valorant?
Jim
October 6th, 2024, 11:30
You definetly missed World of Warcraft! I'd also love to read the full study. I'm curious of the methods applied here, and as an avid LoL player, how participants for that game were selected. No way is 120 IQ representative for the LoL playerbase.
Marm
October 7th, 2024, 23:00
It is almost certainly not a standardised IQ test that was administered. It's also not testing the intelligence of the League of Legends playerbase, it's testing the playerbase that are willing to take a test. For it to be a more accurate representation of the entire playerbase's intelligence, the participants would have had to all been randomly selected from the playerbase. It's unlikely any bronze or iron players are invested in the game enough to be visiting reddit and other third-party related league websites, so they are likely excluded from the data set, and most definitely would have brought the average down.
Exclusive news, offers, and competitions. Don't miss out!
3min 
Reader comments