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3 in 10 Brits Have Skipped a Shower or a Meal to Play Video Games in Lockdown
More Brits than ever played video games last year to beat the boredom of staying home, and our third lockdown in 2021 has seen the trend gain even more traction. With games being released on more platforms, and more genres than ever now is an excellent time to be a gamer!
Fresh Student Living took a deep dive into the gaming industry in the UK to see just what an impact Covid has had on gaming.
More than four in ten UK gamers say they’ve been gaming more during the COVID-19 outbreak (43%). Plus, UK gamers now make up over two thirds of the population (67%); six in ten of this group say they play mobile games (52%); a quarter PC games (25%); and three in ten console games (28%).
When the pandemic first put a stop to everyday life, the gaming world expanded with regular players putting in even more time, and new people joining the trend to connect with friends, kill time and indulge in much-needed escapism. As more people picked up controllers, the UK gaming population exploded by a whopping 63%! People reported feeling happier and calmer, with a higher sense of freedom, thanks to how immersive the best video games are.
The Average Gamer Spent the Equivalent of 39 Days Playing Last Year
Games like FIFA 21, Call of Duty, Animal Crossing and Last of Us were some of the most played games of 2020, with 3 in 10 people skipping showers and meals to play uninterrupted. Almost 6 in 10 Brits also admit to losing sleep due to gaming sessions.
Pre lockdown, the average gamer spent around 13 hours a week playing their favourites. This increased by 5 hours during lockdown with Brits spending 18 hours or more exploring new worlds online – that’s equivalent to 39 whole days spent gaming!
The average gamer usually sets aside a conservative 1-3 hours to play, but in the UK, at least 3% of the population confesses to playing for 15 hours or more in one sitting.
What Video Games is Everyone Playing?
Most Played Video Games of 2020 According to Units Sold
FIFA 21 dominated in 2020 as one of the most anticipated games in the UK, with around 14 games selling per second in the UK last year.
- FIFA 21 (2.18 million)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (1.4 million)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (1.1 million)
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (800,000)
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (660,000)
- The Last of Us Part II (530,000)
- NBA 2K20 (480,000)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (430,000)
More Brits Are Hooked on Video Games
Lockdown has given us all more time to kill, and today the split between male and female video gamers is strictly 50-50. In the UK, 54% of men and women play a game most days, lowering stress and connecting with others being two of the primary motivators.
Multiplayer Games Keep us Connected
With time to kill and social distancing in effect for most of last year, multiplayer games’ popularity soared as more people jumped online to chat and connect. Even ex-gamers again picked up their controllers to join online communities playing games like Call of Duty, Animal Crossing or Fortnite.
Unsurprisingly, lockdown saw most Brits opt for action-packed and interactive genres, with most gamers choosing fighting, action and huge multiplayer Battle Royale games with lots of other players!
Most played genres in 2020
- Fighting – 81%
- Action – 79%
- Massively multiplayer online games – 78%
- Multiplayer online battle arena games – 75%
The Rise of Covideogamers in 2021
Lockdown has massively changed the gaming community across the world. In the UK, younger gamers spend loads of time playing while self-isolating and spend around two hours a month watching other people play online – a pastime that has increased since lockdown began.
The pandemic has also created a whole new subgenre of gamers known as Covideogamers, who exclusively started gaming during lockdown. Compared to 36% of existing gamers between the ages of 18 – 34, Covideogamers now make up 46% of the population in the same age group – 35% of these new gamers have also admitted it’s so relaxing and stress-relieving, they’re going to start playing more, long after lockdown ends!
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BetWright
Gaming Corps rolls out full games catalogue with BetWright in the UK
The Sweden-based developer expands its UK operator network via Onyx Gaming Limited’s BetWright, adding slots and instant-win titles to the brand.
Gaming Corps has expanded its UK operator network after going live with BetWright, the UK-licensed sportsbook and casino brand operated by Onyx Gaming Limited.
Under the agreement, BetWright players can access Gaming Corps’ full catalogue across Slots, Plinko, Mine, Crash and Table formats. The rollout includes Midas Glory – Coin Collect and Instant Blitz, a new scratchcard-style title.
Graham Greensmith, CCO at Gaming Corps, said: “BetWright is a brand with a clear sense of how it wants to position itself in the market. There is a modern feel to the proposition, but also a real focus on quality, service and building a player experience that feels well considered. That makes it a strong fit for Gaming Corps and the type of operator relationships we are continuing to grow. We are pleased to see our content now live with them and look forward to building the partnership further – they are a terrific group of people willing to invest focus in Gaming Corps”
Dan Jukes, CBO at BetWright added: “Variety matters to our players, and Gaming Corps delivers exactly that. Their content brings something a bit different to the BetWright casino, distinctive styles and formats that stand out in a crowded market. We think they’re the Wright addition to our portfolio and we’re looking forward to seeing our players enjoy what they bring.”
BetWright launched in 2024 and operates sports betting and casino in the UK market, with the company citing a focus on safer gambling.
The post Gaming Corps rolls out full games catalogue with BetWright in the UK appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alessandro Sorci Sales Manager at Stakelogic
Stakelogic launches full slot portfolio with Stake Denmark via Relax Gaming
Deal expands Stake Denmark’s casino catalogue following the operator’s five-year Danish licence approval earlier this year.
Stakelogic has launched its full slot portfolio with Stake Denmark through Relax Gaming, taking the studio live in Denmark’s regulated iGaming market.
The agreement makes Stakelogic’s slot line-up available to Stake Denmark players, including Penguin Payday, Candy Links Bonanza 1 & 2 and Book of Adventure Super Stake Edition.
Stake launched in 2017 and officially entered Denmark earlier this year after securing a five-year online casino and sports betting licence.
Alessandro Sorci, Sales Manager at Stakelogic, said: “There is a real sense of intent behind Stake’s arrival in Denmark, which makes this an exciting partnership for us. Launching our full slot portfolio with the brand means players can experience the range we have built at Stakelogic, from more recognisable series to releases with a very different visual identity and tone.”
Peter Eugen Clausen, Managing Director for Stake Denmark added: “Entering Denmark was an important step for Stake, and as we continue to establish the brand locally, it is important that the casino experience has real depth from the beginning. Stakelogic gives us that through a portfolio that feels distinctive and well suited to building momentum in the market.”
The post Stakelogic launches full slot portfolio with Stake Denmark via Relax Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BGaming
BGaming sets 29 May 2026 date for second charity gala in Malta
Event backs DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre after €200,000 raised in 2025, with proceeds earmarked for equipment and four resident rooms.
BGaming will stage the second edition of its Charity Gala on 29 May 2026 at The Phoenicia Hotel in Malta, with proceeds directed to DAR Bjorn, the country’s neurological home.
The iGaming supplier said the event follows its inaugural gala, which raised €200,000 in 2025 and helped fund construction of DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre. For 2026, BGaming said funds raised will be used to equip the new centre with ventilators, motorized beds, air mattresses, hoist lifters and oxygen concentrators, and to fund four resident rooms for new admissions. The company added that “every euro raised will be allocated directly to DAR Bjorn,” and that BGaming will cover event production costs separately.
DAR Bjorn was founded by Bjorn Formosa, who previously worked in iGaming before being diagnosed with ALS at 28, according to BGaming. The charity currently provides care to around 60 residents across two centres and supports nearly 800 people in the community.
The invitation-only event will be held at the Bastion Pool area of The Phoenicia Hotel. BGaming said it is partnering with Next.io as official media partner, with Joseph Chetcuti set to host. The programme includes live music by Versatile, an art performance and auction by L7Matrix and Gonçalo MAR, and a charity raffle.
Marina Ostrovtsova, Chief Executive Officer at BGaming, said: “Last year’s Gala showed us what is possible when our industry comes together around a shared purpose. Raising €200,000 in a single evening was a remarkable achievement and provided real, tangible support to the people at DAR Bjorn who need it most.
“Returning for a second year with an even greater ambition is something we are incredibly proud of. The funds we raise this year will go toward equipment that directly improves residents’ quality of life. These donations are the difference between comfort and hardship for people living with serious neurological conditions, and we hope both the iGaming community and the wider Maltese community will once again stand with us.”
The post BGaming sets 29 May 2026 date for second charity gala in Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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