Andy Payne, chairman of UK games industry trade body UKIE, has said that further research is needed into the addictive qualities of gaming.
In the face of claims from counsellors that cases of gaming addiction are on the rise, Payne told the BBC that the games industry is taking the issue seriously, but he also noted that there are many positives associated with the pastime.
"The word 'addiction' is quite emotive," he said. "If we're talking about clinical addiction, proven to be something that people want as a dependency, then we have to look at the evidence and the research.
"I do think we need more research and we're very open into receiving that. Let's be open and see what's out there. If people are finding they've got problems in their lives, and we can help solve those problems, then we should be able to do something positive about it."
The report points out that computer addiction isn't officially recognised as a clinical condition, but that hasn't stopped addiction counsellors from widening their remit to include games.
Earlier this year Broadway Lodge, the UK's first rehab centre for gaming addiction, opened in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Broadway Lodge counsellor Peter Smith said: "Most of the people that are getting into difficulties tend to be in their teenage years and early 20s. As that generation moves through and others come on behind, I think the problem is going to get bigger."
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