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Revealed: worst areas in England for gamers during lockdown

Published

6 years ago

June 3, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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 10^th 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.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Playradar ships four football-themed casino games ahead of 2026 World Cup

Published

36 minutes ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

playradar-ships-four-football-themed-casino-games-ahead-of-2026-world-cup

Sportradar’s iGaming brand leads with bracket-style World Football x2026, plus updates to Virtual Football and Lucky 6.

Playradar, Sportradar’s iGaming brand, has released four football-themed titles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11. The drop includes two original games and two updated versions of existing products.

The releases are World Football x2026, Virtual Football World Championship 2026, Football Plinko Pro, and Lucky 6: Football edition. Playradar said the games are designed to target different player segments and to connect sports bettors and casino players through content that links both verticals.

The headline launch, World Football x2026, is a bracket-based game using Mines-style mechanics. Players pick outcomes from the Round of 16 and progress through each round to the final; one incorrect prediction ends the game, while a cash-out option is available.

The other launches include Football Plinko Pro, which adapts the plinko format to a football theme; Virtual Football World Championship 2026, which Playradar said runs a 32-team, 64-match World Cup structure with pre-match and in-play markets such as over/under goals and goalscorer; and Lucky 6: Football Edition, a bingo-style title using balls with flags from participating nations.

Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming said: “The scale of the 2026 World Cup is unprecedented, with the sheer volume of fans entering markets worldwide creating huge demand for football-themed content, and the operators best placed to succeed are those with games that meet every need. These four titles have each been designed with that in mind. The World Cup attracts a huge spectrum of customers, and when taken together, this product stack provides operators with the tools needed to keep them engaged throughout the tournament.”

The post Playradar ships four football-themed casino games ahead of 2026 World Cup appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

1spin4win

1spin4win welcomes the football season with a brand-new release, Lucky Goal

Published

36 minutes ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win, an established classic online slot provider, presents Lucky Goal, a sports-themed game that captures the atmosphere of a major football competition.

The latest release transports players to the night of the big final. In Lucky Goal, the stakes are higher than ever — the outcome of the game will decide who takes the 1spin4win Cup home. Taking the role of the team’s star striker, players enter the 4×4 pitch to lead the attack and chase winning combinations worth up to x1500 of the original bet.

When the match starts heading towards a draw, Coins can turn the score around. Once three or more of them appear on the reels in one spin, their values combine to boost the payout and bring the team one step closer to victory.

The storytelling behind Lucky Goal is supported by a vibrant, themed visual design. The game is set against the backdrop of a crowded, neon-lit football stadium, while the 4×4 layout features symbols closely associated with the sport, including a football, goalkeeper gloves, a referee’s whistle, and the 1spin4win Cup itself. The music further enhances the atmosphere, resembling iconic football anthems.

In addition to its rich visuals and engaging gameplay, the new release delivers fast load times and uninterrupted performance across all devices, even on weaker internet connections. For the convenience of a broad international audience, Lucky Goal also supports multiple fiat and cryptocurrencies.

The focus on accessible, high-performing content is part of 1spin4win’s broader approach to global growth. Today, the provider continues to expand its network of over 1,000 partners, working with renowned iGaming brands such as STAKE.MX, 1win, LevelUP, BitStarz, gg.bet, WinSpirit, mBit, Pin-Up, 1xBet, PlayAmo, and others.

Olga Bogdanova, Art Director at 1spin4win, “For us, Lucky Goal is an exciting project, as it marks our first sports-inspired release. We wanted to keep the slot true to 1spin4win’s signature style, with straightforward gameplay and a strong math model, while bringing more life to the theme through animation and sound effects. We’re happy to join the football season with a release that helps players immerse themselves in the high-spirited atmosphere of a major sports event.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win welcomes the football season with a brand-new release, Lucky Goal appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Altenar

Altenar Named Sportsbook Supplier of the Year at SBC Americas Awards 2026

Published

36 minutes ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

altenar-named-sportsbook-supplier-of-the-year-at-sbc-americas-awards-2026

Leading sportsbook platform Altenar has been named ‘Sportsbook Supplier of the Year’ at the SBC Americas Awards 2026, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The award recognises Altenar’s continued commitment to delivering high-performance sportsbook technology that enables operators to grow across the diverse and rapidly evolving regulated markets of the Americas.

Bringing together stakeholders from North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, the SBC Americas Awards celebrate excellence across the betting and gaming industry, recognising operators and suppliers that are driving innovation and raising industry standards throughout the region.

The latest recognition reinforces Altenar’s position as one of the industry’s leading sportsbook providers, trusted by operators across multiple regulated jurisdictions for its flexible, scalable and data-driven solutions.

The award comes during a period of significant momentum for the company in the Americas.

Earlier this week, Altenar announced that it had received approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), enabling the company to provide sportsbook solutions in Alberta ahead of the launch of the province’s regulated online gaming market.

Charlie Williams Commercial Director at Altenar, said:

“Winning ‘Sportsbook Supplier of the Year’ is a tremendous achievement for our entire team. The Americas have become one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions for our business, with opportunities emerging across both established and newly-regulated markets.

“What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it reflects the work we are doing across the entire region. From North America to Latin America, operators are looking for technology partners that can provide flexibility, reliability and local expertise. Our focus remains on helping them succeed with sportsbook solutions that are tailored to their specific commercial and regulatory requirements”.

Through its award-winning platform and continued investment across the region, Altenar is helping operators unlock sustainable growth and capitalise on the significant opportunities emerging throughout the Americas.

The post Altenar Named Sportsbook Supplier of the Year at SBC Americas Awards 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.