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Revealed: worst areas in England for gamers during lockdown
- South West bottom of the pile for broadband speeds, with five of the ten areas where gamers are most likely to disrupt gameplay
- Cities of London and Westminster the worst area for access to superfast broadband
- Kingston Upon Hull ranks the highest for the best place to play video games online based on average speeds and availability of superfast broadband
New research from comparethemarket.com reveals the areas in England that are the worst for gamers, with gameplay in Central Devon the most likely to be disrupted due to poor broadband speeds.
The research analyses the average download speed (Mbps), superfast broadband availability and the percentage of households’ ability to receive decent broadband.
Gamers based in the South West score the least points when it comes to connection speed, with five out of the top ten worst hit areas in England. With Central Devon having the dubious distinction of being the worst in the country, Torridge and West Devon, Forest of Dean, Somerton and Frome, and Tiverton and Honiton all suffer disruption from poorer broadband speeds.
Some may be surprised to see the Cities of London and Westminster ranked the 10th worst constituency for gamers overall. When it comes to access to superfast broadband, this area takes the last place out of all areas, with a quarter unable to access the very fastest connection. By comparison, in Luton North and Leicester West, superfast broadband availability is 100%.
Kingston Upon Hull is hailed as the best place for gamers, ranking top in the country for average speeds and the availability of superfast broadband. Less than 2% of the area’s households have access to decent broadband. Other cities areas that rank highly for gamers include Grimsby, Gillingham and Rainham in the South East, and Nottingham North in the East Midlands.
Top 10 – England’s worst areas for gamers
|
Rank |
Area Name | Region | Average speed (MBPS) | Superfast availability | Unable to receive decent broadband |
| 10 | Cities of London and Westminster | London | 34.41 | 75% | 0% |
| 9 | Somerton and Frome | South West | 42.75 | 82% | 10% |
| 8 | Harwich and North Essex | East of England | 37.06 | 83% | 9% |
| 7 | Tiverton and Honiton | South West | 31.89 | 81% | 9% |
| 6 | North Herefordshire | West Midlands | 35.09 | 80% | 9% |
| 5 | Penrith and The Border | North West | 36.01 | 81% | 12% |
| 4 | Ludlow | West Midlands | 33.09 | 81% | 11% |
| 3 | Forest of Dean | South West | 31.61 | 79% | 10% |
| 2 | Torridge and West Devon | South West | 34.01 | 81% | 12% |
| 1 | Central Devon | South West | 34.05 | 77% | 12% |
Top 10 – England’s best areas for gamers
|
Rank |
Area Name | Region | Average speed (MBPS) | Superfast availability | Unable to receive decent broadband |
| 1 | Kingston upon Hull East | Yorkshire and The Humber | 137.44 | 99% | 1% |
| 2 | Kingston upon Hull North | Yorkshire and The Humber | 132.15 | 100% | 1% |
| 3 | Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle | Yorkshire and The Humber | 122.24 | 99% | 2% |
| 4 | Crawley | South East | 88.40 | 99% | 0% |
| 5 | Filton and Bradley Stoke | South West | 93.49 | 98% | 1% |
| 6 | Luton North | East of England | 84.10 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Morecambe and Lunesdale | North West | 87.70 | 99% | 0% |
| 8 | Great Grimsby | Yorkshire and The Humber | 89.56 | 98% | 1% |
| 9 | Stevenage | East of England | 86.93 | 99% | 0% |
| 10 | Gillingham and Rainham | South East | 86.61 | 99% | 0% |
Holly Niblett, head of digital at comparethemarket.com, commented:
“Lockdown has seen a surge in the number of people relying on the internet for work and leisure. There is a wide disparity in the connection speeds and access to superfast broadband across the country, with people facing a particularly hostile environment in parts of the south west. For many, a reliable internet connection is a lifeline during a difficult time.
“Our new speed-test tool allows people to see how fast their broadband speed is and what better deals and speed is available in their area, because for many households, a fast download speed is a deal-breaker when it comes to choosing a provider. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we have seen a steep rise in the number of customers switching online to the fastest packages during isolation.”
comparethemarket’s tips for improving your broadband speed:
1. Test the speed of your broadband connection
You can run a speed test on comparethemarket’s new speed-checker tool, which enables users to check how long it will take to download a film or game in their area: http://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/speed-test You’ll be shown both your download and upload speeds.
2. Move your router away from other devices
Keep your router as far away as possible from other electrical equipment and devices that emit wireless signals, such as cordless phones, baby monitors and computer speakers. Try to place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor and keep it switched on.
3. Turn off WiFi on devices you’re not using
If you have multiple devices such as tablets and smartphones running in the background, it can slow down your broadband, so try switching WiFi off on these when you’re not using them. You should also avoid carrying out data-heavy tasks like HD streaming, gaming or video calls at the same time as others in your household.
4. Give your computer a spring clean
There are many applications on your PC that could affect your broadband speed, some without you even realising it. A few simple quick fixes include making sure your anti-virus software is up to date, making sure you’re using the latest version of your web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge and clearing your cache and browser history.
For more information on the research, please go to: https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/content/best-cities-in-england-for-gamers/
Methodology:
The following table reveals the areas of England where gamers are most likely to disrupt gameplay due to bad broadband speeds.
Data taken directly from the source are in the columns titled Area name, Region, Average speed (MBPS), Superfast availability and unable to receive decent broadband.
To calculate the index we first normalised the data categories individually from 0 to 1 and then summed the results.
On this scale, for
- Average speed – The higher index would be weighted closer to 1 – detailed in the average speed weighting column
- Superfast availability – The higher index is weighted closer to 1 – detailed in the superfast weighting column
- Unable to receive decent broadband – The higher index is weighted closer to 0 – detailed in the Decent broadband weighting column
Total and rankings were determined by the above.
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bet-at-home
ZEAL and bet-at-home launch joint gaming initiative
Reading Time: < 1 minute
- bet-at-home integrates ZEAL Instant Games titles into its German website
- First selection of ZEAL slots now available
- Partnership boosts reach, portfolio strength, and growth for both companies
ZEAL Instant Games, a brand of the ZEAL Group and a provider of online games, announces a new strategic partnership with online gaming operator bet-at-home. As part of the collaboration, bet-at-home seamlessly integrates the growing portfolio of ZEAL slots into its website. The first titles are already available to customers on bet-at-home.de.
Stronger together: Premium content meets established brand presence
Both partners stand to benefit from the collaboration: While bet-at-home expands its portfolio offering with ZEAL titles â enhancing its appeal and reach within the online games segment â ZEAL Instant Games gains another prominent partner whose market presence accelerates the brandâs dynamic growth and enables access to a broader user base.
In addition to best-selling ZEAL titles such as âThe Bookmakerâ, âCrime Sceneâ, âVegas Blazeâ, and other premium slots, the portfolio will continue to grow steadily in the coming months.
Shared perspectives
âOur mission is to make innovative, high-quality games accessible to the widest possible audience,â says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. âWith bet-at-home, we are gaining a partner that has held a strong position in the market for many years. This collaboration opens up new opportunities for expanding our reach and underscores the enormous potential of our growing games portfolio.â
From bet-at-homeâs side: âWe are delighted to have ZEAL Instant Games as a partner known for quality, creativity, and reliable performance,â says Claus Retschitzegger, CEO, bet-at-home. âThe new ZEAL titles are a great addition to our offering and provide our customers with exciting and varied gaming experiences. This partnership is an important element of our growth strategy.â
The post ZEAL and bet-at-home launch joint gaming initiative appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ELA Games
Glory & Honour Await the Strongest Gladiators in ELA Gamesâ Newest Game, Roman Fortune
Reading Time: 2 minutes
All reels lead to Rome in ELA Gamesâ newest atmospheric and bold slot.
ELA Games creates an immersive adventure in its latest title, Roman Fortune. Players battle for glory and honour in the heart of ancient Rome, where every spin carries the might of an empire.
Roman Fortune takes place in a roaring Colosseum under Caesarâs watchful eye, where fortunes wait for the victors. Designed with ELA Gamesâ signature visual richness and refined gameplay, this new title balances entertaining gaming experiences with operator-focused value, building on previous successes, such as Piñatas Festival.
Caesarâs Riches: Features that Favour the Brave
Roman Fortune offers several features that build excitement and depth for the player, ensuring action on every spin.
- Scatter Symbols: Collect Scatters to earn Free Spins â the more you collect, the greater the prize.
- Caesar Wilds: At any moment, a Caesar Wild may appear to spread wealth across the reels or even trigger the Hold & Win Bonus.
- Hold & Win Bonus: In this feature, players encounter Red, Blue, and Green Coins, each with their own imperial strengths. Red Coins multiply prizes, Blue Coins unlock Jackpots, and Green Coins collect all visible values for greater wins.
Gladiators can activate all of these features at once, where glory and honour will rain down on the victor.
An Experience Built for Impact
Just like the actual intense clashes that occurred in the Colosseum in ancient Rome, Roman Fortune is crafted for players who enjoy an atmospheric experience with excitement, tension, and memorable moments.
The gameâs 95.99% RTP and high volatility ensure that even the base game has plenty of action. Roman Fortune embodies ELA Gamesâ game creation philosophy, where creativity and strategic development work together to deliver a product that delivers sustained engagement and strong performance for its partners
Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director of ELA Games, commented on the release, âRoman Fortune is a visually forward title that captivates playersâ imaginations with thrilling battles in an ancient arena. Every detail exists to create a world players can step into and instantly feel connected to. The gameâs bold theme, supported by strategic mechanics and layers of atmosphere, shows what our team does best: creating experiences players enjoy while providing value for our partners.â
Enter the Arena For Eternal Glory
Step into the Colosseum and fight for your place in history.
The post Glory & Honour Await the Strongest Gladiators in ELA Gamesâ Newest Game, Roman Fortune appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Dinos Doxiadis Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech
GR8 Tech Expands Virtual Sports Portfolio with New Basketball Offering, Deepens Localization Strategy
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GR8 Tech has expanded the virtual sports lineup within its ULTIM8 Sportsbook with a new range of virtual basketball, continuing a year of investment in the category that has already seen the addition of virtual horse racing and virtual cricket rouletteâa unique format blending casino mechanics with the sport of cricket.
The expansion builds on GR8 Techâs established strength in cricket, where the company developed one of the industryâs most comprehensive betting lines. Virtual cricket was designed to fill gaps between real-world tournaments, giving operators a way to maintain player engagement year-roundâa model now being applied to basketball for markets where the sport dominates.
This content independence stems directly from GR8 Techâs in-house trading capabilities.
âOne of the things that GR8 Tech stands out for is the quality of the trading and the fact that we perform extremely well in very difficult environments, like Asia,â said Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech. âEven our clientsâ players in these challenging markets donât behave like typical players in âeasierâ regions such as Latin America, we still manage to achieve some of the highest margins there.â
That trading foundation enables GR8 Tech to build and localize content for specific markets rather than relying solely on third-party providers.
âWe already have a very strong sportsbook, and now weâre scaling our processes and output capabilities to take it even further,â Doxiadis explains. âWeâre improving the product and creating the conditions to localize very quickly and offer a truly localized experience across the world.â
GR8 Tech is also investing in infrastructure to give operators greater control over how they deploy this content.
âThe goal is to put even more power into the hands of our operators so they can tailor the product exactly as they want. As we move forward with new data and content agreements, theyâll gain an even greater ability to adapt the sportsbook to their specific needsâon top of what they can already do today.â
Personalization is central to that roadmap. âWe have delivered quite a few recommendation models, and right now we can serve custom content on a user level, and we will continue working in this direction,â said Doxiadis. âWe have a very good infrastructure and baseline to invest in.â
The post GR8 Tech Expands Virtual Sports Portfolio with New Basketball Offering, Deepens Localization Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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