Strongly agree to both points. Any kind of game (video, board, card, whatever) and sports equipment are incredible value for money, in terms of entertainment-hours/dollar, as long as you use them.
And because they demand active involvement, they save you from spending money on other stuff. You can easily shop online on the couch watching TV. Not so much if you're playing a game or a sport.
The kicker is that the entertainment per dollar figure is only part of the story. The inherent quality and worth of some games make them memorable experiences that aren't found in other mediums, and the market is mature enough that quality games abound even taking into account Sturgeon's law.
There is a dark side however, in that gamers can sometimes completely lose interest in the act of gaming in and of itself. This is a complex range of emotions related to the sensation of aging and the restrictions that come with responsibilities. But when it comes, it can alter the value of what people get from games to devastating effect.
And because they demand active involvement, they save you from spending money on other stuff. You can easily shop online on the couch watching TV. Not so much if you're playing a game or a sport.