The CIS population spent RUR 40.8 billion on video games in 2012, says a study by a major player.

      According to Mail.ru Group's data which covers all of the post-Soviet states, except for Ukraine, gaming becomes a more popular pastime than going to the movies. 2012 box office revenues in Russia totaled RUR 39.3 billion, which is RUR 1.5 billion lower than the full-year earnings from gaming. Growth figures have been in favour of the rising industry, too, posting a 22 percent increase against a 10 percent rise for films.

      Mail.ru Group is partially controlled by Russia's richest billionaire Alisher Usmanov.