Which Gamers Are the Smartest

Which Gamers Are the Smartest? Unpacking IQ by Gender, Game, and Console

It’s reported that playing video games can be beneficial for your brain and cognitive function. But if you’ve ever played a multiplayer game online, you may very well question that…

To find out which video game player bases are the smartest, WhichBingo surveyed 1,002 gamers (aged 18+) and partnered up with a team of psychologists to administer an intelligence test.

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 platform (the most), to determine the results. And the results are certainly interesting…

Advertiser Disclosure: Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.
RankBrandRatingReviewWelcome bonusPlayT&C
1
4.5 Read Review
100% up to £100

18+. Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions. Please gamble responsibly. Gambleaware.org #AD. Full T&Cs Apply.

2
4.5 Read Review
100% up to £200 + 11 Wager-Free Welcome Spins

*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

3
4.3 Read Review
100% Bonus up to £200 + 100 Free Spins

New customers only. Opt-in required. Deposit £10 or more & wager 30x on casino games (contributions may vary) for 100% deposit match up to £200 extra & 100 Free Spins. Free spins on Big Bass Splash worth 10p each valid for 3 days. 7 days to deposit, wager, claim. One offer per player. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Exclusive Offer
4
4.4 Read Review
Welcome Bonus Up to £300 + 25 Bonus Spins

*18+. New players only. Min. deposit £20. Max. bonus bet £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Winnings from Bonus spins credited as bonus funds and capped at £100. Bonus funds expire within 30 days. Offer is 100% bonus match up to £300 + 25 bonus spins on your 1st deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org. #AD

5
4.8 Read Review
Get £40 Slots Bonus + 40 Free Spins

*18+. New customers only. 1st Deposit & Spend £10 Slots to get £40 Slots Bonus (40x wagering, selected games) + 40 Free Spins (value £0.10 each, selected games). Claim & use within 7 days. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly, www.Gambleaware.org. #AD

Exclusive
6
4.4 Read Review
Get 100% Welcome Bonus up to £50 + 20 Free Spins

18+. New players only. 100% First deposit bonus up to £50: Min deposit £10. Wagering: 35x deposit amount to unlock as bonus cash. Bonus balance not playable until wagering is met. 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash (no wagering). Free spin winnings credited to cash. Expiry: Bonus balance 90 days; Free Spins 2 days. Game Contributions: Wagering on table games, live casino, Slingo, video poker & instant games contributes 10%. Neteller & Skrill deposits not eligible. T&Cs apply: Full Terms of Welcome Offer, General Bonus Terms and General Terms and Conditions.

No Wagering
7
4.1 Read Review
100% up to £50 + 20 Free Spins

18+. New players only. 100% First deposit bonus up to £50: Min deposit £10. Wagering: 35x deposit amount to unlock as bonus cash. Bonus balance not playable until wagering is met. 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash (no wagering). Free spin winnings credited to cash. Expiry: Bonus balance 90 days; Free Spins 2 days. T&Cs apply.

No Wagering
8
4.5 Read Review
100% up to £300 + 75 Bonus Spins

First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: £10, max. Bonus £300. Game: Big Bass Bonanza, Spin Value: £0.10, Max Free Spins: 75. WR of 30x Deposit + Bonus amount and 60x Free Spin winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the free spin winnings and bonus amount or £5 (lowest amount applies).Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #AD

Exclusive Offer
9
4.7 Read Review
100% Match Bonus Up To £300 + 150 Bonus Spins

*18+. New players only. One offer per player. Max bonus bet £5. Offer: 100% bonus match on 1st deposit + bonus spins. Value of bonus & number of spins depend on deposit amount: £20 – £100: max £100 bonus + 50 spins on selected games; £101 – £200: max £200 bonus + 100 spins on selected games; or £201+: max £300 bonus + 150 spins on eligible Netent Games. Winnings from spins credited as bonus and capped at £100. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds contribute to wagering requirement. Bonus funds expire within 30 days; bonus spins within 72hrs. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. GambleAware.org. #AD

Exclusive Offer
10
4.8 Read Review
Play £10, Get 100 Free Spins

18+ New Customers. Opt in. Deposit & play £10 anywhere on site except any Blackjack or Roulette Games within 7 days. Get 100 Free Spins on Age of The Gods: God of Storm 2 + 3 Slot game. Rewards expire after 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Full T&Cs Apply.

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, FC24 at the Bottom

Top 20 Smartest Player Bases

Widely popular online strategy game League of Legends secured the highest IQ score of 120.4.

Following close behind in second was the player base of the hugely successful single player  Black Myth: Wukong with an IQ of 119.8.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players placed third overall, with an average IQ of 117.9.

For context on IQ scores sub 85 is deemed below average intelligence, 85 – 115 is deemed average intelligence, anything over 115 IQ is deemed above average intelligence.

From the data, it’s clear that games focused on strategy and role-playing are linked with higher IQ scores. Games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Dark Souls, and Dota 2 ranked high.

On the other hand, FC 24/FIFA 23 players recorded the lowest IQ in the study, with an average score of 89.8.

Console IQ Showdown: PC Gamers Come Out on Top

Console IQ Showdown

When breaking down IQ scores by console, PC gamers led the pack with an average IQ of 114.1.

PlayStation gamers followed in second place with an IQ of 111.0, while Xbox gamers got third place and averaged 105.9. While the consoles have a lot of similarities the IQ gap is bigger between the two than between PC & Playstation.

Mobile/Tablet gamers came in last at 99.9. Whether you’re into bingo, slots, or casino games, each type of game challenges different aspects of intelligence and skill.

Gender IQ Comparison: Female Gamers Lead with a Higher Average IQ

Gender IQ Comparison

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 107.9, while male gamers averaged 105.8.

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? Do you think we’re missing a game?

Play £10, Get 30 Free Spins Or £50 Of Free Bingo
Our Score
4.8
1

*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

Get 30 Free Spins When you Play £10 OR 50 Free Bingo Tickets Offer
Our Score
4.9
2

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.

Play £10, Get 30 Free Spins or £50 of Free Bingo
Our Score
4.5
3

18+. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30 day expiry from deposit.18+. Free Spins: on Rainbow Riches. 1p coin size, max lines. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply.Please play responsibly. Gambleaware.org #AD

Play £10, Get 30 Free Spins or £50 of Free Bingo
Our Score
4.5
4

New members only, 18+. Must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30 day expiry from deposit. Free Spins: on Double Bubble. 1p coin size, max lines. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. Rules Apply. 18+ Play Responsibly. GambleAware.org. #AD

Play £10, Get 30 Free Spins
Our Score
4.2
5

*18+. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30 day expiry from deposit. Free Spins: on Secrets of the Phoenix Megaways. Spins value: 20p each. Game availability & restrictions apply. Please gamble responsibly. Gambleaware.org #AD

Other Latest Industry News

15. Jul 2025 08:43
Bingo's Youth Revolution: Millennials Reshape the Game in the UK
A seismic shift is underway in the world of UK bingo, latest data from the 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Players Survey has uncovered. Millennials are now the dominant force in bingo, breathing vibrant life into this beloved British pastime. For years, bingo has been synonymous with an older demographic. However, our comprehensive survey, polling 1,200 UK players, shows that the 29-44 age bracket – the millennials – are now leading the…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 3min
Read this news
11. Jul 2025 09:12
TOWIE's Bobby Norris Dabs Out with Fanny Galore in Latest Series
Get ready for a fabulous dose of bingo, drag, and celebrity sparkle as WhichBingo’s highly anticipated “Dabbing Out” Series 3 returns. Episode one starts with a bang – featuring none other than The Only Way Is Essex legend Bobby Norris at drag bingo. “You gotta love a bit of drag and bingo,” Norris said, as he and Dabbing Out host Charlie Shakespeare play bingo at Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party….
by
Killian Morris
Killian Morris
Time to read 3min
Read this news
7. Jul 2025 15:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 6min
Read this news
4. Jul 2025 12:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 3min
Read this news
Spinner
Killian Morris
Killian Morris
PR & Social Media Specialist
“Social Sharpshooter” is a name that reflects Killian Morris’s ability to blend strategic PR, social media savvy, and a deep understanding of the iGaming landscape. With nearly a decade of experience, including roles at industry giants like Paddy Power Betfair and Gambling.com, Killian has honed his craft in building successful campaigns that connect brands with their audiences on a global scale.

Reader comments

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.