According to a new report from casual games developer/publisher PopCap Games, 'white collar' workers often play casual games while at work. PopCap's survey looked at 7,102 consumers, 40 percent of whom were identified as 'white collar' workers – these 2,842 respondents were employed in management, executive management, sales, accounting, medical, technical, consulting or administrative capacities.

Considering that the casual games market is around 200 million people, PopCap estimates that the executive crowd is very much into casual gaming, with about 80 million 'white collar' workers playing. 24 percent of the 'white collar' employees said they do play at work, and that number jumps up to 35 percent for CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives. 98 percent said that they play casual games at home too.

Of those that play during work hours, the survey showed:

  • 14 percent admitted they had played casual games during business meetings or conference calls, with two thirds (65 percent) of those saying they did so at least once a month.
  • 61 percent said they play during lunch or other official break periods.
  • 52 percent said they play "during my work day, when I need a short break."
  • 19 percent said they play "at the end of my work day, to unwind."
  • 11 percent said they play "at the beginning of my work day before I get started."

    Not only do a large number play at work, but those who do play with "considerable frequency," instead of... doing their jobs. More findings from PopCap include:

  • 53 percent said they play at work at least once a day.
  • 79 percent said they play at work several times a week or more.
  • 84 percent said they play casual games at work for between 15 and 60 minutes each day, on average.
  • 11 percent said they played casual games at work for an hour or more each day.

    But is playing casual games at work really a time waster? Or is it a way to relieve stress and stay sharp? 84 percent said playing casual games allowed them to feel "more relaxed and less stressed out." And 52 percent said they "felt more confident, more energetic, more productive and/or more mentally focused." In fact, 72 percent said they choose to play to improve their mental state, not just for entertainment.

    "It's not surprising that today's business professionals are casual video game users," said Carly Drum, Managing Director of Drum Associates, an executive recruitment firm. "The face of today's executive workforce is definitely changing: we're seeing employees who are much more technologically savvy and familiar with all forms of new media from social networking to blogging and beyond. So, it's natural that some business executives would also look to casual videogames that they can play on their PC, mobile phone or BlackBerry during a work break, as a way to quickly relax and recharge their batteries, so to speak."