Though games might feed addiction for some, they can help manage it for others. 'It's about the individuals that kind of have that kind of obsessive aspect in their own personality.'
'It's not the games themselves that are addictive,' said Andrew Pedersen, senior vice president and general manager of social casinos for the cable channel Game Show Network, whose GSN Games division makes casino apps for smartphones. Game makers have struck deals with celebrities and popular brands to help increase their profile.
