Connect with us

Latest News

Revealed: worst areas in England for gamers during lockdown

Published

on

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 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.

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest News

Top 5 Newest High-RTP Slots at Social Casinos This Month

Published

on

This month, social casinos are leaning hard into high-RTP releases, with more “player-friendly math” showing up alongside flashy features and streamer-ready visuals. If you like scouting new drops, tracking RTP, and testing games risk-free before you commit time to a grind, sweepspulse.com is one of the places people use to keep an eye on what is trending.

Below are five of the newest high-RTP slot picks from SweepsPulse you can realistically spot making the rounds at social casinos right now, plus what makes each one worth your spins.

Big Bass Bonanza 1000, Pragmatic Play

If there is one modern series that refuses to go away, it is Big Bass, and the newest “1000” entry keeps the familiar fishing vibe but pushes the pace and the potential. You still get the classic collection style gameplay, where catching fish and building multiplier value is the real game, and not the base spins.

Why it fits a high-RTP hunt this month:

  • It is a newer social-casino favorite because it is instantly recognizable, easy to understand, and the bonus rounds feel active instead of passive.
  • The structure typically rewards “sticking with it” for longer sessions, which is exactly how many social players prefer to spin.

What to look for while you play:

  • A base game that is mostly there to feed the feature.
  • Bonus rounds where the real entertainment happens, especially when symbols start stacking and values begin to pile up.
  • A volatility curve that can feel swingy, so set expectations accordingly if you want steady hits rather than big moments.

Best for: players who like modern slot pacing, collection mechanics, and bonus-driven gameplay.

Gates of Olympus 1000, Pragmatic Play

This one is basically an event slot at this point. “Gates” games get picked up fast in social casinos because the visuals are bold, the cascades are satisfying, and the multiplier moments feel dramatic. The “1000” version leans even harder into that signature style, with an emphasis on big multipliers and screen-filling cascades.

Why it fits a high-RTP hunt this month:

  • Newer version, familiar identity, easy social adoption.
  • People love it for quick sessions because it can feel exciting even when you are not deep into a bonus, thanks to cascade potential.

What to look for while you play:

  • Lots of dead spins mixed with sudden pop-offs, classic high-volatility behavior.
  • Multiplier moments that can make a session, even without a long feature.
  • A rhythm that works well for “spin, pause, check,” which matches how social players often multitask.

Best for: fans of tumbling reels, multiplier chasing, and adrenaline-style sessions.

Sugar Rush 1000, Pragmatic Play

If you want a high-RTP feel without the heavy, dark myth vibe, this candy-bright slot scratches the itch. The “1000” edition keeps the colorful energy but turns the intensity up with more aggressive feature potential, and a style that is very easy to watch and share.

Why it fits a high-RTP hunt this month:

  • It is a new-ish refresh of a recognizable game, so it spreads fast on social platforms.
  • The visuals and effects make it especially popular in social casinos where the “experience” matters almost as much as the result.

What to look for while you play:

  • Cluster-style wins and cascading sequences that can chain together.
  • A bonus that can feel like a completely different gear compared to the base game.
  • Swingy outcomes, you might see long stretches of nothing, then a sudden burst that changes the whole session.

Best for: players who like bright themes, cluster mechanics, and volatile bonus rounds.

Starlight Princess 1000, Pragmatic Play

Yes, it is another “1000,” and that is not an accident. This month’s social slot landscape is dominated by refreshed versions of proven hits, and Starlight Princess is one of the most widely recognized “cascades + multipliers” games out there. The updated version keeps the anime-inspired style but aims to deliver more consistent excitement with modern tuning.

Why it fits a high-RTP hunt this month:

  • Newer version, very strong name recognition.
  • Frequently appears in social-casino libraries because it is simple to understand and quick to get into.

What to look for while you play:

  • A base game that is mostly a setup for multiplier moments.
  • Sessions that feel “quiet” until a sequence triggers multiple cascades.
  • Feature potential that can be thrilling, but not guaranteed, so it is not the best choice if you prefer steady returns.

Best for: players who like fast spins, anime vibes, and chasing huge multipliers.

Sweet Bonanza 1000, Pragmatic Play

Sweet Bonanza is practically a social-casino staple. The “1000” version keeps the fruit and candy theme, the scatter-triggered bonus, and the satisfying screen fills, but aims to deliver a fresher, more modern feel. If you are new to high-RTP slot scouting, this is the kind of title you can use as a baseline, because it is everywhere and easy to compare against other games.

Why it fits a high-RTP hunt this month:

  • It is a newer refresh of a classic that social casinos love to feature.
  • It is popular with casual players because you do not need to “learn” a lot to enjoy it.

What to look for while you play:

  • Big clusters that appear out of nowhere and keep tumbling.
  • Bonus rounds that can be either average or explosive, sometimes in the same session.
  • A volatility profile that can tempt you to keep chasing, so decide your session length ahead of time.

Best for: casual players who still want high-volatility upside and a familiar, feel-good theme.

How to spot high-RTP slot picks at social casinos

Because social casinos do not always display RTP as clearly as real-money casino sites do, you often have to approach it like a tester.

Here is a simple method:

  1. Start with popular, newly added titles, social casinos highlight them because they drive engagement.
  2. Look up the RTP range by game name, many slots have multiple RTP settings depending on operator configuration.
  3. Treat RTP as “one filter,” not the whole decision. Volatility matters just as much for your experience. A high-RTP slot can still feel brutal if it is very high volatility.
  4. Do short test runs, then longer sessions only on games you actually enjoy, because social play is about time and entertainment, not just outcomes.

Conclusion

High-RTP slots continue to shape what is popular at social casinos this month, especially refreshed versions of proven favorites with modern features and fast pacing. Whether you enjoy bright cluster games, multiplier-driven cascades, or bonus-heavy classics, these new releases offer solid variety without real-money risk. Try a few, track which styles suit your sessions best, and focus on enjoyment first, RTP second.

Continue Reading

Central Europe

ScatterKings adds sugar-coated spin to Austria with bespoke win2day partnership

Published

on

scatterkings-adds-sugar-coated-spin-to-austria-with-bespoke-win2day-partnership

ScatterKings has made its debut in Austria, partnering with operator win2day to bring its vibrant, hand-crafted portfolio to one of Europe’s most tightly regulated markets.

Headlining the partnership is Sweet win2day, a mouth-watering title designed exclusively for the operator. Other standout ScatterKings games, including Coins of Cleo, Vikings and Hogs Christmas and Big Bob, have also hit the screens of win2day’s customers, with further releases scheduled to follow.

Win2day is operated by Austrian Lotteries, which was founded more than 50 years ago and holds the only licence to offer online casino gaming in the country. The brand has gained a rich heritage as a trusted name in the market, priding itself on being one of the industry’s most responsible operators.

Through this deal, the new and fiercely passionate provider is redefining what modern slot content looks like for local players.

For ScatterKings, every game stands as a testament to its philosophy – proven mechanics fused with genuine artistic vision. A true labour of love from battle-tested developers, the brand-new studio, years in the making, is channelling its expertise into games crafted with soul.

With a leadership team of seasoned industry veterans spanning years of experience, ScatterKings is primed to accelerate its global growth and continue building games that deliver non-stop thrills.

Steven Cross, CCO at ScatterKings, said: “Our launch with win2day is such a proud moment for us and it’s a partnership built on trust in both our vision and craft.

“Entering such an exclusive market is a powerful endorsement of the quality and personality our content brings. We’re here to deliver premium entertainment to players under the most respected regulatory standards.”

Georg Wawer, Managing Director at win2day, said: “As Austria’s only licensed online gambling operator, it is our responsibility to offer players exclusively high-quality, secure and fully compliant gaming content. With ScatterKings, we welcome a highly innovative partner whose technological excellence and creative strength perfectly match our uncompromising standards.

“The studio’s games are optimised to meet the strictest player protection requirements, ensuring that every title on our platform delivers not only great entertainment but also the highest level of safety and responsibility. Their growing portfolio will be a valuable and exciting addition to win2day.”

The post ScatterKings adds sugar-coated spin to Austria with bespoke win2day partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Slotegrator’s 2025: the year in numbers

Published

on

slotegrator’s-2025:-the-year-in-numbers

For Slotegrator, a leading software and business solution provider for online casino and sportsbook operators, 2025 marked a year of restructuring and modernization. The company outlines the key transformations of the past year and the strategy shaping its path through 2026.

Throughout 2025, Slotegrator focused on developing its technological and business solutions for gambling operators worldwide. And those efforts — as well as the team’s substantial growth — have paid off, driving the company to new heights of success.

One indicator of positive performance is an increase in demand. Slotegrator recorded strong growth in demand for its products in multiple regions:

  • The Balkans (+168%)
  • Africa (+132%)
  • Australia and Oceania (+111%)
  • Central and Eastern Europe (+76%)

In addition to expanding geographically, Slotegrator grew and developed in several key areas: the size of its client and partner network, the scale of its revenues and market share, and the nature of its leadership.

The company now has nearly 300 clients and over 650 projects worldwide, with 217 new projects launched in 2025 alone. That expansion has translated directly to a rise in revenues; the company’s estimated share of global online gambling GGR reached around 0.8%, driven by an 81% YoY increase in GGR and a 71% rise in Total Bets.

One of this year’s key changes was the appointment of Olga Ivanchik as chief operating officer. With an extensive industry and management background to draw on, she is leading the company’s focus on sustainable scaling, ESG integration, and further strengthening of the internal team.

The company also continued to expand the capabilities of its products. APIgrator, the game aggregator solution, surpassed the threshold of 40,000 online casino games, supported by new strategic partnerships with Octopus Global, Urgent Games, Peter&Sons, Winfinity, Enjoy Gaming, PHOENIX 7, Bellot, InOut Games, and BEON. Another major milestone of 2025 was obtaining a gambling license in Anjouan, enabling Slotegrator to extend its services to a wider range of operators worldwide.

The turnkey online casino platform from Slotegrator also underwent one of the most significant transformations in Slotegrator’s history. More than 1,000 product improvements were implemented in 2025 alone, laying a solid foundation for scalability and advanced analytics.
The platform upgrades covered business intelligence and reporting, limitless scalability, security and authentication, bonus module performance, affiliate integrations, resilient infrastructure, an improved Casino Builder solution, and a significantly reduced time-to-market.

“2025 was a year of major milestones for us. While the global iGaming market continues to evolve at high speed, we not only maintained our strong position but expanded it on multiple levels. This year clearly showed that our strategic direction is right and our foundation is strong,” says Olga Ivanchik, COO at Slotegrator.

Slotegrator enters 2026 with a well-calculated strategy and ambitious plans. The company will continue the large-scale expansion of its team, demonstrate its ESG strategy with a focus on responsible gaming practices and ethical marketing, participate actively in industry events around the globe, conduct new research and media projects, and pursue multiple high-impact product updates. And on top of that, there will be some major announcements at the beginning of the year.

Among the most anticipated developments are a new localization service, a revolutionary tool within the Moneygrator solution, extended AI-powered features, and further transformation of the turnkey platform into a fully integrated ecosystem of high-efficiency services.

For Slotegrator, 2025 was a year of modernization, scale, and trust — and 2026 is set to be the next leap forward.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.

The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.

The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.

Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.

The post Slotegrator’s 2025: the year in numbers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania