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Revealed: worst areas in England for gamers during lockdown

Published

5 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%.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

Conferences in Europe

2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers

Published

5 hours ago

March 17, 2025

George Miller

2025-gaming-in-holland-conference-announces-headline-speakers

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place June 5, 2025, at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, is proud to announce its first confirmed speakers.

The Gaming in Holland Conference is THE place to meet the key decision makers in the Netherlands’ regulated gambling market.

First speakers announced

We are very happy to welcome the following key decision makers to our speaker line-up:

Arjan Blok, CEO, Nederlandse Loterij
Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision, Netherlands Gambling Authority
Justin Franssen, Partner, Franssen Tolboom Advocaten
Dr. Andreas Ditsche, CEO, iGaming.com
Josh Hodgson, COO, H2 Gambling Capital

About the 2025 GiH Conference: A Change is Gonna Come?

Recently, Teun Struycken, State Secretary for Legal Protection, announced a far-reaching revision of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act.

This month, the Dutch Lower House will hold roundtable discussions on the current state of the regulated gambling market. These roundtable discussions will be followed by an in-depth debate with the state secretary on March 27.

Naturally, this means that there will be plenty to discuss at this year’s Gaming in Holland Conference. Don’t miss it if you want to keep abreast of the latest developments.

As always, all-day networking, our traditional canal boat tour, and networking drinks at Holland Casino are included in the event.

Last but not least, the “Dutch Online Casino of the Year” award ceremony will be part of the post-conference networking drinks. Don’t miss the festivities!

Registration now open

Early bird registration is now open: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025. Don’t miss it!

The post 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

Navigating Compliance and Global Expansion: Endorphina’s Journey in the iGaming Industry

Published

7 hours ago

March 17, 2025

George Miller

navigating-compliance-and-global-expansion:-endorphina’s-journey-in-the-igaming-industry

Reading Time: 4 minutes

HIPTHER, the organizer of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is delighted to welcome Endorphina as the Awards Party Sponsor and a leading force in the iGaming sector. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Džangar Jesenov, Corporate Compliance Manager at Endorphina, to explore the company’s recent achievements, including new market entries, rigorous security certifications, and their strategic focus on the LATAM region.

Endorphina recently secured authorization as a supplier of online slot games in Peru and obtained B2B licenses in Sweden and Denmark. What were the key challenges in achieving these milestones, and how do they align with your broader market expansion strategy?

Yes, it’s true—we are now officially authorized as a supplier in Peru, Sweden, and Denmark. Expanding into these regulated markets was a carefully structured process that required thorough preparation and deep regulatory understanding.

From a compliance perspective, we dedicated nearly 11 months to analyzing each market, studying regulatory frameworks, and engaging directly with local authorities. This hands-on approach allowed us to interpret legal details correctly and streamline our applications. Once we completed our groundwork, our submissions proceeded as planned, reflecting our meticulous preparation and proactive strategy.

These expansions are part of our long-term vision to strengthen our global presence, ensuring that Endorphina remains at the forefront of regulated gaming. By entering these strategic jurisdictions, we continue to build a trusted brand that delivers premium, compliant, and innovative gaming experiences.

Endorphina completed an ISO 27001 security certification audit, a significant achievement in information security. Can you provide more details about it, and share how this certification impacts your operations in terms of data security and compliance

Security has always been a top priority for us—not just for compliance reasons but because we believe in building trust with our partners and players.

Our decision to pursue ISO 27001 certification was driven by our commitment to establishing the highest security standards across all operations.

Rather than adapting to individual country regulations piecemeal, we chose the most rigorous and internationally recognized approach: an overarching Information Security Management System (ISMS) that meets global best practices. This certification reinforces the security of our infrastructure, protecting both operator partners and players.

Achieving ISO 27001 is a reflection of years of experience and expertise within our compliance team. By implementing this standard, we future-proof our systems against evolving security threats while ensuring seamless compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Now, our partners know that when they work with Endorphina, they’re working with a provider that takes security seriously and operates at the highest level of integrity.

You recently concluded successful security audits in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Denmark. How do you navigate the diverse compliance requirements across these regions, and what best practices would you share with other iGaming businesses?

Each country has its own regulatory framework, but ultimately, they all share a common goal: ensuring player protection and responsible gaming.

One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is that proactivity is key. Instead of reacting to regulatory changes at the last minute, we focus on staying ahead by implementing strong security standards that align with global best practices.

Here are three key best practices we follow at Endorphina:
– Think from the player’s perspective – A safe and fair gaming environment should always be the priority. Our compliance decisions are made with player security and trust in mind.
– Establish a strong, unified security framework – Rather than adapting compliance measures market by market, we implement a universal security model (ISO 27001) that seamlessly integrates into different regulatory landscapes.
– Invest in people – Compliance isn’t just about policies; it’s about the expertise and dedication of the team. Continuous education, adaptation, and training are key to staying ahead of ever-changing regulations.

That’s why for me, and I’m sure for many people on my team as well, compliance is more of a craft than just a job.

Endorphina concluded the year with a strong focus on the LATAM region, achieving certification as one of the first suppliers of online slot games in Brazil. What opportunities does this milestone present, and how do you plan to further strengthen your presence in the region?

The LATAM region has been a long-term focus for Endorphina, and we have been expanding into these markets for several years. Argentina and Colombia were among the first jurisdictions where our games became highly popular, and Brazil was the next strategic step in our expansion.

With Brazil’s regulatory framework evolving, we saw an opportunity to leverage our experience from other regulated markets to establish a strong foothold early on. Being one of the first authorized slot suppliers in the country is a huge achievement, as it positions us as a trusted provider in a highly competitive market.

Looking ahead, we plan to actively grow our footprint in LATAM by:
– Expanding our certified game portfolio – We already have 83 games certified for Brazil, and this number will continue to grow.
– Strengthening partnerships with local operators – By offering localized content and tailored marketing support, we ensure our games resonate with Brazilian players.
– Adapting to new regulations – As Brazil tightens its iGaming laws, we expect greater regulatory enforcement, which will increase market stability and further strengthen licensed operators and suppliers like Endorphina.

Our goal is clear: to be a leading force in LATAM’s regulated iGaming market, delivering premium, compliant, and engaging gaming experiences.

At the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, you will be speaking on the panel “Navigating the Maze: iGaming Compliance Across CEE”. Can you give us a taste of the key insights you’ll be sharing with the audience?

I’m really looking forward to the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025—it’s always a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with industry friends and exchange insights.

My main focus will be sharing practical, real-world compliance strategies that can help operators and suppliers navigate regulatory complexities across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). I expect there will be a lot of discussion around market-specific compliance challenges, particularly in the Czech Republic and across the EU.

Rather than delivering a one-way presentation, I want this to be a dynamic and interactive discussion. My goal is to create a space for open dialogue, where attendees can ask direct questions, share their own experiences, and gain practical takeaways that they can apply in their own businesses.

Compliance is constantly evolving, and my mission is to make it accessible, insightful, and—dare I say—exciting for everyone attending the panel! 😊

With Endorphina at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, this year’s event promises invaluable insights into compliance across CEE and the evolving iGaming market. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain exclusive market perspectives, and be part of the most dynamic gathering in the CEE region!

Join us on 25-26 March 2025 in Prague – Register now and explore the full agenda!

The post Navigating Compliance and Global Expansion: Endorphina’s Journey in the iGaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

2025 Men’s College Basketball Tournament

bet365 and Incentive Games Launch $10 Million ‘Bracket Challenge’ for 2025 Men’s College Basketball Tournament

Published

7 hours ago

March 17, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

bet365-and-incentive-games-launch-$10-million-‘bracket-challenge’-for-2025-men’s-college-basketball-tournament

bet365, the leading sports betting brand, and Incentive Games, a premier B2B games provider, are excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated ‘bet365 Bracket Challenge’—the ultimate free-to-play predictor game with a potential $10 million jackpot.

Launching on Sunday, March 16, just in time for the 2025 Men’s College Basketball Tournament, the ‘bet365 Bracket Challenge’ allows basketball fans to test their knowledge and prediction skills. With a grand prize of $100,000 and a leader board rewarding the top 5,000 players, the competition is set to be bigger than ever.

For the player who achieves the elusive perfect bracket, $10 Million prize awaits!

Participants can access the bet365 Bracket Challenge page and check out the full terms and conditions by visiting nj.bet365.com/olp/bracket-challenge.

This free-to-play game is now open to new and eligible bet365 customers aged 21 and over, residing in the USA across: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana (permitted parishes only), New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. The challenge is also available in Mexico and other jurisdictions. In order to participate, players must be fully verified by bet365, with one entry allowed per person.

Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, commented, “We’re proud to once again partner with bet365 to bring back this high-energy, high-stakes challenge. This game is more than predictions; it’s about exciting players, driving community engagement, and being part of a monumental sporting event. We are honored to play a role in bet365’s continued success in the US and international markets.”

A bet365 spokesperson said, “With the 2025 bet365 Bracket Challenge, Incentive Games delivers yet another slam-dunk free-to-play game! Basketball fans will undoubtedly enjoy every heart-pounding moment, as they make their predictions and compete for a $10 Million prize!”

The post bet365 and Incentive Games Launch $10 Million ‘Bracket Challenge’ for 2025 Men’s College Basketball Tournament appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.