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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.

Andrzej Hyla Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan

Wazdan Unveils Latest Classic Reboot: Magic Fruit$: Oranges

Published

20 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

wazdan-unveils-latest-classic-reboot:-magic-fruit$:-oranges

Wazdan, a top developer focused on gains, has introduced its newest retro-themed game, Magic Fruit$: Oranges, enhancing its collection of energetic, performance-oriented titles.

The latest launch offers a contemporary spin on the traditional fruit slot, merging recognizable visuals with various engagement-focused features aimed at improving player enjoyment and fostering lasting retention.

Central to the game is Wazdan’s popular Cash Infinity feature, which enhances the thrill during gameplay while boosting the chances for lucrative results. The title additionally features the popular Cash Out mechanic in the base game, providing players the chance to obtain immediate cash rewards.

While playing, a Cash Out indicator may show up on a random reel and stay active for five spins. If a bonus symbol appears on that reel when the countdown hits zero, the player receives the associated symbol prize.

Gamers can additionally activate the favored Hold the Jackpot bonus round, presenting the chance to secure fixed jackpots. The Chance Level feature further enriches the game, enabling players to boost their chances of accessing the bonus round by multiplying their base bet by 2x, 4x, or 6x.

Collectively, these mechanisms embody Wazdan’s engagement-oriented philosophy, aimed at crafting customizable player experiences through approaches intended to achieve verified outcomes in regulated markets.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “Expanding our portfolio with titles such as Magic Fruit$: Oranges is a very rewarding process for the entire team at Wazdan and reflects the journey we have been on as a company. In an increasingly competitive market, the biggest challenge is remaining an innovative supplier while maintaining the quality of the user experience, and that is exactly what drives our approach to game development.

“With features such as Cash Infinity and Chance Level, we continue to go above and beyond for our partners and players by delivering engaging products that make a real impact across regulated markets.”

The post Wazdan Unveils Latest Classic Reboot: Magic Fruit$: Oranges appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Candy Links Bonanza 3

Sugar rush on the reels as Stakelogic unveils Candy Links Bonanza 3

Published

20 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

sugar-rush-on-the-reels-as-stakelogic-unveils-candy-links-bonanza-3

Hot Spots, Hurricane Connections, and Wheel of Fortune prizes add a new sugar high to the newest Candy Links edition.

Stakelogic has unveiled Candy Links Bonanza 3, the newest addition to its well-known Candy Links series and the third installment in the franchise.

Located in a vibrant realm of bright confections, shimmering Coins, and glittering Hot Spots, Candy Links Bonanza 3 enhances the mechanics that defined the previous games, advancing that beloved sweet spot formula with an exciting array of sugary surprises.

The game features 3,125 winning combinations, created by matching symbols that align from left to right. Coin symbols can appear during the game and contribute to the Hurricane Links panel, where they are gathered and retained as players progress toward extra Coin-related rewards.

Coins can be arranged horizontally, vertically, or diagonally within the panel. When five Coins link, their values are given, and various combinations can activate in the same round. Since the gathered Coins stay put until the feature refreshes, the mechanic fosters a distinct feeling of accumulation as the panel fills and fresh winning patterns emerge.

Enhancing the gameplay excitement is the Hot Spot feature, which may show up with each spin; if coins or unique symbols fall inside it, the payout is boosted even more. In addition, unique symbols such as Rocket, Chest, and Coin Machine can impact the Hurricane Links panel by introducing Coins or enhancing their values, which aids in speeding up progress as the panel becomes filled.

The Free Spins feature is triggered by three or more Bonus symbols. During Free Spins, Wilds and Multipliers can appear while Hot Spots become even more powerful, gaining the ability to clone regular symbols.

At the peak of the bonus sequence, players can trigger the Wheel of Fortune, which offers the chance to win multipliers and jackpot prizes including Mini, Minor, Major and Mega rewards.

James Jelliffe, Head of Slots at Stakelogic, said: “Candy Links Bonanza has earned its place as a popular series for us, so it felt like the right time to return with an even bigger and brighter third chapter. Candy Links Bonanza 3 leans into the playful charm players enjoy about the world of the game, while giving the series a fresh burst of energy for its next outing.”

The post Sugar rush on the reels as Stakelogic unveils Candy Links Bonanza 3 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention

BMM Innovation Group to Advise Tribal Leaders on Compliance, Cybersecurity and Training at IGA 2026

Published

1 hour ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-innovation-group-to-advise-tribal-leaders-on-compliance,-cybersecurity-and-training-at-iga-2026

BMM Innovation Group, an international technology firm offering compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training services for the regulated global gaming sector, today declared its backing and involvement in the 2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA) from March 30 to April 2 at the San Diego Convention Center. With its three leading brands, BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training®, BIG maintains its enduring dedication to supporting Tribal regulators, suppliers, and operators throughout North America.

The BMM Innovation Group serves as a sponsor for the show, highlighting its evident and continued commitment to the Tribal gaming community. The Company is dispatching representatives from BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training to engage with Tribal leaders and industry partners during the event.

BMM Chief Government and Regulatory Officer Travis Foley said, “Tribal gaming has always been central to BMM’s story. We are honored to support the Indian Gaming Association and to continue working alongside Tribal suppliers, regulators, and operators to strengthen compliance, protect players, and support sustainable growth across Indian Country.”

At the conference, BIG specialists will participate in multiple key educational sessions aimed at assisting Tribal gaming organizations in enhancing operations, security, responsible gaming, and human resources:

Peter Nikiper, Director-Technical Compliance, will deliver Level III Commissioner Training on Network Risk Assessment, helping regulators better understand today’s evolving technology risks.
Heather Lee, Senior Director of Sales at BIG Cyber, will moderate the panel Cyber Defense Fundamentals: Protecting the Gaming Enterprise, focused on practical strategies to strengthen cybersecurity readiness.
Wendy Anderson, CEO of RG24seven Virtual Training, will speak on the responsible gaming panel, Innovate. Protect. Heal: The Future of Tribal Problem Gambling Prevention Begins Here, and will also moderate the HR-focused session, Workforce Sustainability: Building Talent Pipelines That Actually Hold.

BMM Innovation Group provides Tribal gaming organizations an all-encompassing range of services via BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training, which includes product testing and certification, cybersecurity safeguards, and compliance-focused virtual training tailored for gaming staff.

The post BMM Innovation Group to Advise Tribal Leaders on Compliance, Cybersecurity and Training at IGA 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.