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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.

Booming Games

Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content

Published

33 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-targets-south-american-dominance-with-major-investment,-flagship-partnerships-and-exclusive-ronaldinho-content

Booming Games, the award-winning game development studio known for its entertainment-first approach and deep market reach, has announced a major strategic push into South America, targeting one of the world’s fastest-growing online gaming markets.

With the Latin American online gambling market projected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.9%, and Brazil’s fully regulated gambling launch in 2025, Booming Games is executing a multi-pronged strategy to establish market leadership across the continent.

Max Niehusen, Founder of Booming Games, said:
“Brazil is the market that will separate the leaders from the rest. Players demand relevance, entertainment, and connection — that’s where we excel. Our goal is to challenge the status quo, partner with top operators, and create experiences that truly resonate. Getting Brazil right sets the stage for global success.”

A Market-Defining Opportunity

South America represents a generational growth opportunity, with 440 million people, 84% internet penetration, and an estimated 100 million online casino players in Brazil alone. Booming Games is investing in high-value operator partnerships, specialist talent, and a fully localised content roadmap to dominate the region.

Strategic Operator Partnerships

Booming Games has secured collaborations with Betano, Betnacional, 7K Bet, Cassino Bet, Brazino, H2 Bet, Esportes da Sorte, Bet365, SportingBet, and SuperBet, ensuring broad market access while delivering tailored player experiences.

Its flagship Brazilian portfolio includes: Fortune Surge Series, Inferno Fortune Instastrike, Fortune Paw, 7 Fruits of Riches, and Monkey Charm, all designed for maximum accessibility, commercial impact, and customisable white-labelling. A growing range of instant games is scheduled for Q2.

Craig Asling, Director of Games, said:
“Brazil is more than a market — it’s a culture. Our games are built to connect deeply with players through localised storytelling, data-driven insights, and real player preferences.”

Exclusive Ronaldinho Content

A cornerstone of Booming Games’ South America strategy is an exclusive content partnership with football legend Ronaldinho, one of Brazil’s most iconic figures with 150 million global social media followers.

Building on prior successes like Ronaldinho Spins and Ronaldinho Scores: Shoot To Win, Booming Games is launching two major new titles:

Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza – a 6×5 scatter-pay slot inspired by Brazilian street football, featuring the Street Skill Meter and continuous high-energy gameplay.
Bruxo da Sorte – a fast-paced 3×3 slot casting Ronaldinho as “The Wizard,” offering x10 multipliers and high-frequency wins.

Dan Paleu, COO of Booming Games, said:
“Ronaldinho bridges global appeal and local relevance. He’s instantly recognisable worldwide, yet deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, allowing us to create games that feel personal to players and commercially scalable.”

Platinum VIP Lounge at SiGMA BiS South America

At SiGMA BiS South America (6–9 April 2026, São Paulo), Booming Games will host the Platinum VIP Lounge, an immersive, custom-built space inspired by Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza. The Lounge offers senior industry networking, premium hospitality, exclusive merchandise, and direct access to Booming Games’ leadership, highlighting bespoke partnership opportunities and next-generation content.

The post Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betfred

Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE

Published

33 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

betfred-enters-into-partnership-with-br-dge

BR-DGE, the independent payment orchestration provider, has partnered with Betfred, one of the UK and Ireland’s fastest-scaling betting operators, to support high-performance payments.

Betfred is using BR-DGE as its payment orchestration layer to manage both pay-ins and pay-outs through a single integration. Now live in the UK, with additional markets to follow later, the partnership is already delivering strong conversion rates, improved speed and resilience, as well as an enhanced player experience at the checkout. At the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup – Betfred’s most successful to date – BR-DGE processed over one million transactions as part of Betfred’s book, over the 4-day event.

As well as gaining simpler connectivity to multiple PSPs and payment methods (including cards, bank-to-bank payments and digital wallets) Betfred will also benefit from layered pre-and post-authorisation real-time fraud and identity decisioning, with a specialist partner integration via BR-DGE. This will support Betfred’s fraud prevention teams in keeping fraud levels in check, while maintaining smooth checkout process for genuine customers.

During major sporting events, when transaction volumes can spike dramatically, Betfred’s payments infrastructure can now scale effortlessly to meet demand — ensuring players experience no slowdowns or payment restrictions at the moments that matter most.

Betfred also benefits from flexible, independent control over deposit and withdrawal flows, with the ability to apply tailored routing logic. This gives them stronger performance, better cost management and greater reliability across every stage of the payment journey — without the operational complexity.

PCI-DSS scope has also been significantly reduced for Betfred. By using BR-DGE Vault, sensitive card data is captured and stored entirely outside of its own environment. This simplifies compliance obligations and unlocks the freedom to route network tokens across multiple providers — complete with built-in failover protection — delivering higher approval rates and a seamless cashier experience for players.

Jacob Spencer, Chief Revenue Officer at BR-DGE, said: “Betfred operates at real scale, particularly during major sporting events, when transaction volumes increase rapidly and payment performance is put under pressure. This partnership gives Betfred the ability to handle those spikes without slowing or restricting transactions, while providing the flexibility and confidence to support future growth and new payment requirements.”

Nick Cockerill, Group Chief Product Officer at Betfred, said: “From the Grand National to a Saturday afternoon football fixture, our customers expect betting to feel easy and trusted. That includes being able to pay and get paid their winnings without delay. Working with BR-DGE helps us support that experience during our busiest periods, so payments don’t get in the way of the bet. Our business can continue to expand at speed, with the confidence that our payments infrastructure is in safe hands.”

This partnership adds to BR-DGE’s growing presence within the gaming and gambling sector, where operators are increasingly adopting independent orchestration layers to support scale, enhance payment performance and deliver excellent customer experiences.

The post Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BMM Innovation Group

BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME

Published

33 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-innovation-group-highlights-leadership-in-product-testing-and-certification-at-the-italian-gaming-expo-&-conference,-april-14–15-in-rome

BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “The BIG Group,” “BIG,” or “the Company”), a global provider of compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training solutions for the regulated gaming industry, has announced its participation as both an exhibitor and sponsor at the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, taking place April 14–15 at the Salone delle Fontane, Stand No. 3. This presence underscores BMM’s ongoing commitment to supporting Italy’s regulated gaming market.

The Company is also shortlisted for two prestigious Italian Gaming Awards: the “Do the Right Thing” Award and “Best Executive Leadership” for Marzia Turrini, BMM’s Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity. These nominations reflect BMM’s continued leadership in integrity, compliance, and innovation across regulated gaming markets worldwide.

At the Expo, BMM will showcase its comprehensive suite of services through:

BMM Testlabs – trusted testing and certification for suppliers, operators, and regulators.
BIG Cyber – advanced cybersecurity protection.
RG24seven Virtual Training – compliance-grade, BMM-certified employee education.

Marzia Turrini will also take part as a featured panelist on April 15:

Women Empowerment in Gaming: Leadership, Skills and the Future of the Industry (11:05–11:50)
Exploring the growing role of women in leadership and how new skills and perspectives drive a more innovative and inclusive gaming industry.
Digital Transformation in Gaming: From Compliance to Growth (12:00–12:45)
Examining how technology, compliance strategy, and modern operating models help gaming companies enhance performance and accelerate growth in regulated markets.

Turrini commented:
“We’re thrilled to support the Italian Gaming Expo and one of Europe’s most important regulated markets. With our office and test lab in Bologna, BMM helps safeguard and grow the industry through trusted testing and certification that enables faster time to market while maintaining the highest compliance and security standards. Our cybersecurity and training solutions empower organizations to innovate confidently in Italy.”

BMM Testlabs provides certification across Italy’s gaming ecosystem, including:

Land-based AWP and VLT machines and systems
Retail sports betting and horse racing platforms
Lotteries and instant gaming
Online casino, sports betting, and wagering technologies
Skill games with prizes

Combined with BIG Cyber’s cybersecurity services and RG24seven Virtual Training’s expert-led programs, BMM delivers a complete compliance and security solution, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements, enhance readiness, and build knowledgeable teams across Italy’s regulated gaming sector.

Expo attendees are invited to visit Stand No. 3 to learn how BMM continues to support Italy’s gaming industry with global expertise, local insight, and trusted compliance leadership.

The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.