Latest News
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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Brazil
Z.ro anuncia aquisição da Paag em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado
Z.ro firma acordo com Paag em um negócio relevante que adiciona mais de 200 milhões de transações anuais à vertical de pagamentos da companhia.
O Z.ro Global Payments, que até abril operava como Z.ro Bank, anuncia a aquisição e incorporação da vertical de pagamentos da Paag, em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado e ao ganho de participação no setor de pagamentos digitais.
A integração será realizada por meio de um plano estruturado de migração, desenhado para assegurar continuidade operacional, com estabilidade e segurança para todos os clientes ao longo do processo.
Segundo Edisio Pereira Neto, presidente do Z.ro, a operação amplia de forma expressiva o volume processado pela empresa, que já supera 500 milhões de transações.
“A Paag tem forte presença em processamento de pagamentos, especialmente no mercado de jogos, com mais de 200 milhões de transações anuais que serão incorporadas ao nosso ecossistema, reforçando nossa liderança no setor”, afirma Edisio.
Como parte da operação, João Fraga, CEO da Paag, e Ricardo Vidal, CSO da empresa, passam a atuar também como sócios responsáveis pela vertical dedicada ao mercado de iGaming dentro da Z.ro Global Payments.
“A criação dessa frente específica reflete a relevância do segmento e da necessidade de criar soluções cada vez mais customizadas para este mercado.
Nossos dois novos sócios trazem um know-how essencial para liderar esta frente”, afirma o CEO da Z.ro Global Payments.
“Estou muito motivado em assumir esse novo desafio. Com a união das expertises, consolidamos a maior operação de pagamentos voltada ao mercado de jogos no Brasil.
Tenho a convicção de que essa integração nos levará ao maior market share do setor. Literalmente, zeramos o game”, declara Vidal.
Para a Paag, o movimento também marca um novo momento estratégico da companhia.
Após anos de atuação no mercado de pagamentos para operações digitais, a empresa passa a atuar como Paag Shield, focada no desenvolvimento de soluções de gestão de risco, compliance e prevenção à fraude, e Paag Engage, focada em inteligência operacional, aquisição e retenção. Ambas sem vínculo societário com a operação realizada ao lado do Z.ro Global Payments.
“Esse movimento marca uma nova fase para a Paag. Construímos uma operação sólida de Payments ao longo dos últimos anos e temos confiança de que os clientes continuarão sendo atendidos com excelência dentro da estrutura da Z.ro.
A partir de agora, concentramos ainda mais nossos esforços na evolução do Paag Shield e Paag Engage, com soluções voltadas à inteligência de risco, compliance e eficiência operacional”, explica Fraga.
Nova vertical dedicada ao segmento de jogos no Z.ro
“A criação dessa frente específica reflete a relevância do segmento e da necessidade de criar soluções cada vez mais customizadas para este mercado. Nossos dois novos sócios possuem amplo know-how para liderar esta frente”, explica Edísio.
“Atualmente, o segmento já responde por aproximadamente 25% da nossa receita. Com a nova estrutura, deverá subir para cerca de 35% já no primeiro ano”, afirma.
A iniciativa reforça a estratégia do Z.ro de segmentação de negócios, permitindo maior profundidade nas operações, otimização de negociações e desenvolvimento de soluções adaptadas às demandas específicas de cada mercado.
O Z.ro International, responsável por recolher pagamentos na América Latina e enviá-los para qualquer país do mundo, e o Z.ro Digital Assets, de pagamentos internacionais com criptoativos, são outras duas verticais lançadas no último ano.
Aquisição não concluída
Em 2025, o banco BS2 chegou a anunciar negociações para a aquisição da Paag, em um movimento que indicava o interesse da instituição em ampliar a atuação no processamento de pagamentos digitais para o mercado de jogos .
Na ocasião, a estrutura do acordo previa a entrada inicial com uma participação minoritária na empresa.
O plano também contemplava a possibilidade de aquisição total da Paag em um prazo de até três anos.
No entanto, apesar do anúncio e das tratativas iniciais, a negociação não foi concluída e não avançou para a efetivação da operação.
Mudança de nome
Recentemente, o antigo Z.ro Bank alterou seu nome para Z.ro Global Payments, refletindo a estratégia de internacionalização da companhia, iniciada em 2025.
A mudança consolida o posicionamento da empresa como provedora de infraestrutura global de pagamentos, com soluções inovadoras voltadas para serviços de processamento de pagamentos locais e transfronteiriços, além de Bank as a Service.
The post Z.ro anuncia aquisição da Paag em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Las Vegas
Plaza Hotel & Casino books Bolero – The Show for June 20 one-night run
Latin music-and-dance production led by Las Vegas-based producer Adan Alejandro plays the Plaza showroom at 7:30 p.m.
Plaza Hotel & Casino will host Bolero – The Show for a one-night performance in its showroom on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The production is billed as a Latin music-and-dance show featuring a live band, singers, and dancers, with influences including bolero, flamenco, salsa, tango, mambo, and other Latin rhythms.
Bolero – The Show is led by Las Vegas-based producer, singer, and songwriter Adan Alejandro. The Plaza said the show’s production team and performers have roots in the Latin entertainment community and experience performing in Las Vegas and other venues across the US and Latin America.
Tickets are now on sale for the June 20 performance.
The post Plaza Hotel & Casino books Bolero – The Show for June 20 one-night run appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Bolero – The Show performs for one night only at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Saturday, June 20
The Plaza Hotel & Casino welcomes Bolero – The Show to its classic Vegas showroom for one night only, Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Bolero – The Show is a bohemian Latin musical blending Latin rhythm, passionate dance, and timeless love songs. Featuring a live band, singers, and dancers, the show creates an immersive and elegant experience inspired by bolero, flamenco, and Latin music.
Led by Las Vegas-based producer, singer, and songwriter Adan Alejandro, the production team and show performers have roots in the Latin entertainment community and many years of experience performing live music and entertainment events in Las Vegas and other venues across the United States and Latin America.
Bolero – The Show is designed as an immersive live entertainment experience that blends music, dance, and theatrical elements inspired by Afro-Caribbean and Latin American traditions. The production combines bolero, salsa, tango, flamenco, mambo, and other Latin rhythms in a format created specifically for the Las Vegas showroom environment.
With a live band, dancers and vocal performers, Bolero – The Show creates a large-scale Latin musical and theatrical experience with an emphasis on rhythm, movement, passion, and audience connection that is designed specifically for the Plaza’s showroom.
Tickets are now on sale for the June 20th performance at Bolero – A Bohemian Latin Musical – Plaza Hotel and Casino.
The post Bolero – The Show performs for one night only at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Saturday, June 20 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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