PurposeThe primary objective of this study is to understand how gamification elements, perceived teacher support and boredom relate to academic performance and how these relationships are mediated by perceived enjoyment while pointing out such influence on educational outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey methodology was conducted with 350 Lebanese university students specializing in digital marketing. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data and provide exciting insights into the complex ties between variables.FindingsThe results indicate that well-implemented gamification elements significantly increased perceived enjoyment and positively influenced academic performance. Furthermore, perceived teacher support enhanced the effectiveness of gamification by increasing student engagement and enjoyment. Conversely, boredom negatively affects perceived enjoyment and academic performance, underscoring the need for well-designed gamification strategies that sustain interest and motivation.Research limitations/implicationsStructural equation modeling and other quantitative tools excel at discovering connections but may not reveal the origins of the patterns they uncover. Given the complexity of causation, quantitative studies examining the mediating role of subjective satisfaction may gain more insight using a mixed or qualitative approach. Although the data supplied by the 350 responders were interesting, the sample size was insufficient to make any definitive conclusions. These findings may not be generalizable because Lebanon’s student bodies are diverse. The ability to detect tiny changes in the target variables requires researchers to consider how much time and energy they can dedicate to gathering data while structuring their investigations.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to understanding gamification as a powerful tool for innovation in education and reshaping learning into motivating, engaging and sustaining productive experiences to improve educational quality. Therefore, our recommendations shed light on such improvements' impact on society. In this vein, we enrich this path by highlighting the crucial role of teachers and decision-makers in developing new professional programs.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the importance of perceived enjoyment in the transformative gamification process in education. This study emphasizes the value of effective gamification implementation supported by teachers as a powerful tool for enhancing learning experiences and improving the quality of education.