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REVEALED: These are the Online Games that Cause the Most Arguments 🎮💔

Published

5 years ago

February 12, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

1 in 50 couples row over gaming every day
Call of Duty is the online game most likely to cause a rift between couples
1/4 Women have (unsuccessfully) tried to ban gaming in the house, compared to 1/5 Men
25% of men have thought about breaking up with their partner because of online gaming-related arguments, compared to 17% of women

With Valentines day almost a week away, new data from CardsChat.com reveals which online games cause the most arguments in a relationship. CardsChat surveyed 1,000 UK adults whose partner plays online games, to find out how gaming affects relationships. CardsChat also spoke to three relationship experts to explain the findings.

1 in 50 couples row over games every day

Out of the 1,000 surveyed, 1 in 50 couples said they argued over gaming every day! 1 in 25 of the respondents said they squabbled a little less, ‘just’ 250 to 300 times per year, while 3 in 25 ‘fessed up to having gaming-related rows 150 to 200 times a year.

Arguments per year	No. of couples
50-100	1 in 4
150-200	3 in 25
250-300	1 in 25
Every day!	1 in 50

According to the survey data, Call of Duty is the online game most likely to cause a rift between couples with 38% of couples admitting to have argued about time spent on the game.

Fifa is a close second, with 34% of couples confessing to argue over the football game.

According to Iain Macintosh’s book, ‘Football Manager Stole My Life’, the titular game was cited as a factor in a whopping 35 divorce cases back in 2012. However, despite these stats, we found that the addictive micromanagement game came fourth with 15%.

Game	Argument about time spent on the game
Call of Duty	38%
Fifa	34%
Fortnite	21%
Football Manager	15%

What the expert says:

So what’s behind these rows? Chris Pleines, a dating expert from Datingscout says forgetting important dates and a lack of quality time can contribute: “Being preoccupied with gaming will most likely let you forget what day it is, especially if you pull an all-nighter. Instead of preparing something special for your partner, you are busy levelling up on your game.”

Let’s hope that these gamers don’t forget about Valentine’s Day!

Who Is Trying — and Failing — To Ban Gaming?

1/4 Women Vs 1/5 Men

We dug deep into our research to find out who is trying to ban gaming in these households. The girls just edge it slightly, with one quarter of female respondents admitting to unsuccessfully trying to ban gaming in their house. While around one fifth of men said they had also tried unsuccessfully to put a stop to gaming in the home.

What the expert says:

We spoke to Susan Trombetti, leading matchmaker, relationship expert, and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, to delve even deeper into the impact of gaming on relationships. She told us: “Gaming is a way to be connected without really connecting with people thus sometimes increasing your social isolation. This can cause issues for relationships.”

Her advice? “Some things you can try are limiting time spent on the game instead of banning them altogether. Opposed to making your household a gaming free household, if your partner enjoys it, consider limiting the time gaming, similar to how you may set boundaries like no phones while eating dinner together. Small compromises may work for you and your partner.”

Gaming Causing Break-Ups

25% Men Vs 17% Women

Have thought about breaking up with their partner over gaming

Our data reveals that 25% of men have thought about breaking up with their partner because of online gaming-related arguments. Compared to 17% of women surveyed admitting they’ve considered calling time on a relationship for the same reason.

What the expert says:

Dainis Graveris, a certified sex educator and relationship expert at SexualAlpha suggests that: “When people play online games, they become a part of something that involves responsibilities, loyalties, and interactions. These interactions, however, don’t spill through with their relationships offline.

And why does this seem to bother more men than women? Dainis says:” it boils down to the male gamer’s motivations for playing online games that’s why you can find that most of them get into serious fights with their partners and have thought about breaking up with them.

For instance, some male gamers feel that playing online games helps alleviate stress, serves as an outlet for negative energy, and/or helps them regain a sense of control. When their female partners don’t understand their motivations, they take offense and get into serious arguments”.

Peace of the action

Considering how many relationships are on the ropes due to online gaming, we started thinking about how couples can avoid the agro.

The simple solution? Get gaming included in your vows Or if you’re not married, write some up into your living arrangements. We took the liberty of writing some up…

‘Do you [insert name] promise to play only an hour of gaming a day?’

‘I promise never to ban gaming in the house’

‘I vow to always put you first, even when I’m playing Fortnite’

‘I promise never to keep score, even when I’m beating you at FIFA’

‘I vow to never let the PS5 come between us’

‘I [insert name], take thee, [insert name]….forsaking all others…’til COD do us part’

‘What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine…except the Xbox’

Hold and

Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™

Published

1 hour ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-rings-in-2026-with-joker’s-jewels-hold-&-spin

Pragmatic Play, a powerhouse in the iGaming sector, has officially kicked off the new year with a nostalgic neon glow. The supplier’s first release of 2026, Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin, breathes new life into a fan-favorite franchise by blending classic “fruit machine” aesthetics with high-octane modern features.

This 5×3, 10-payline slot brings back the iconic jester for a high-volatility performance, offering players a massive win potential of 10,000x their stake.

Classic Visuals, Modern Rewards

The game is a masterclass in retro design, featuring vibrant neon visuals and a traditional jester theme. Players will find a grid populated by familiar symbols such as lutes, juggling pins, and sparkling gems.

Base Game Wins: Matching 3–5 symbols can trigger payouts of up to 1,000x.
The Return of the Joker: The titular character remains the highest-paying symbol, maintaining the core identity that made the original Joker’s Jewels an industry staple.

The Main Event: Hold & Spin Bonus

The headline addition to this sequel is the integration of Pragmatic Play’s popular Hold & Spin mechanic.

Triggering the Feature: Landing three or more Money Symbols—each carrying values of up to 5,000x—activates the bonus round.
Respin Dynamics: Standard symbols fade away, leaving only the triggering Money Symbols locked in place. Players start with three respins, and the counter resets every time a new Money Symbol lands.
Grand Prize: If the player manages to fill all 15 positions on the grid with Money Symbols, the game awards the 10,000x Max Win.

“Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin provides a fresh take on a vintage theme,” said Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play. “It offers classic slots action enhanced by the popular Hold & Spin mechanic and a 10,000x max win.”

This release sets a strong pace for Pragmatic Play’s 2026 roadmap, following a prolific 2025 that saw the launch of hits like Big Bass Splash 1000 and Fortune of Olympus.

The post Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkan Gaming Market

Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

yggdrasil-strengthens-bulgarian-presence-through-strategic-deal-with-bet.bg

Yggdrasil, the leading global iGaming publisher, has officially boosted its reach in the regulated Bulgarian market by taking its premium content live with regional operator bet.bg.

This partnership marks another significant milestone in Yggdrasil’s European expansion strategy. Following a landmark commercial year in 2025—where the studio saw rapid growth across Spain, Brazil, and the Balkan markets—this new deal ensures a steady stream of high-quality entertainment for Bulgarian players.

A Portfolio of Blockbuster Hits

As part of the initial rollout, bet.bg has integrated over 20 of Yggdrasil’s top-performing titles. The selection features a mix of “all-time classics” and modern hits, including:

The Vikings Series: Specifically the fan-favorite Vikings go Berzerk.
Legendary Quests: The high-adventure Valley of the Gods.
GEM-Powered Slots: Innovative titles like Raptor DoubleMax, Hades GigaBlox, and Golden Fish Tank 2.

These games leverage Yggdrasil’s signature Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), which have proven to be major drivers of player retention and engagement in the Eastern European region.

Strategic Growth in the Balkans

Bulgaria has emerged as a flourishing hub for iGaming, supported by a clear regulatory framework and a growing demand for premium casino content. For Yggdrasil, partnering with an established local brand like bet.bg is a “statement of intent” to dominate the Balkan territory.

“Partnering with bet.bg is a real statement of intent for us as we further boost our footprint in the Balkan region,” said Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil. “Our titles have already proven to be incredibly popular in the region, and we’re confident that bet.bg customers will love the gaming experiences we will provide for them.”

A spokesperson for bet.bg echoed this enthusiasm, stating: “We are extremely pleased to offer Yggdrasil’s wide-ranging product portfolio to our players. Yggdrasil brings a combination of fan-favorite games and cutting-edge mechanics to our collection, and we can’t wait to grow in tandem with them.”

The post Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B gaming software

Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamblers-connect-and-betoxygen-announce-strategic-b2b-partnership

Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with BetOxygen, a software development company specializing in agile B2B gaming solutions.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-end infrastructure and operators seeking reliable, omnichannel systems. As the boundary between land-based and online gaming continues to blur, the partnership highlights BetOxygen’s role as a key architect in the modern iGaming landscape.

A Unified IT Ecosystem for Modern Operators

BetOxygen has distinguished itself by offering a complete IT ecosystem that supports a wide range of verticals, including:

Sports Betting Software
Internet Casinos
Virtual Slot Games

At the heart of their offering is a comprehensive omnichannel platform. This system integrates retail, mobile, and online operations into a single, unified back office. This allows operators to manage their entire business from one dashboard, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for players regardless of how they choose to bet.

Efficiency and “Boutique” Support

BetOxygen differentiates itself from traditional technology vendors through a proactive, “boutique” approach to client management. Key highlights of their service model include:

Rapid Technical Support: Boasting a two-minute response time for technical inquiries.
Fast Integration: A clear roadmap that promises full platform customization and integration within 60 days of signing.
Risk Management: Continuous monitoring to protect partners from operational challenges.

Currently holding a strong presence in regulated markets across Europe and Africa, BetOxygen is focused on democratizing access to high-end gaming technology for ambitious operators.

“What sets BetOxygen apart and makes this partnership so exciting for us is their unique full package philosophy,” said Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect. “This partnership underscores our dedication to showcasing providers who prioritize speed, customization, and unwavering support.”

The post Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.