Latest News
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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Betfair
Flutter Brazil brings Betnacional and Betfair in Copa do Nordeste to promote Responsible Gaming
The semifinal clash of the Copa do Nordeste between Sport Recife and Fortaleza, taking place on May 20 and 27, will feature Flutter Brazil’s brands in a joint activation aimed at reinforcing the commitment to safe entertainment and player protection.
Flutter Brazil, the group that operates Betnacional and Betfair, will promote the “Flutter Brazil Game” during the semifinal ties, with Sport Recife, sponsored by Betnacional, facing Fortaleza, which will feature Betfair’s spot sponsorship for the decisive stage of the regional tournament.
Beyond the on-field competition, the initiative will serve as a platform to amplify messages around Responsible Gaming, balance, and safe entertainment in the betting sector.
The initiative reflects Flutter Brazil’s strategic goals for 2026, focused on brand building, reputation, and the consolidation of a transparent and responsible operation aligned with Brazil’s regulated market framework.
Controlling two of the sector’s leading brands in Brazil, the group recently marked its first year of operations in the country, combining local expertise and regional management with Flutter Entertainment’s global scale and governance standards.
Flutter Brazil emphasizes that responsible entertainment is a non-negotiable pillar and defines betting strictly as a recreational activity, not a source of income.
“The Flutter Brazil ecosystem was built with the purpose of raising standards of integrity, safety, and responsibility in the Brazilian betting environment.
By integrating Betnacional and Betfair sponsorships in a moment of high visibility and regional relevance, we reaffirm that responsible play and balance are not just messages, but part of our operational philosophy and communication DNA,” said Álvaro Garcia, CMO of Flutter Brazil.
Reinforcing its Responsible Gaming agenda and in line with local regulation, Betnacional has developed awareness and player protection initiatives, including the “Play Like a Senior” campaign featuring Vinícius Júnior, focused on safe entertainment practices.
The company also partners with institutions such as IBJR and EBAC, actively contributing to education, prevention, and player support initiatives.
To ensure safety, Flutter Brazil continuously invests in technology, education, and consumer protection. Its platforms offer configurable tools throughout the player journey, allowing users to set deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options.
The Sport Recife vs Fortaleza activation also reinforces how regulatory progress has increased sector maturity in Brazil, highlighting the importance of operators committed to transparency, innovation, technology, and responsibility.
Flutter Brazil is one of the largest betting ecosystems in Brazil, formed by the merger between NSX Brasil (owner of Betnacional) and Flutter Entertainment, a global leader in the sector and owner of Betfair.
With Brazilian-led operations, the company combines advanced technology with deep local market understanding, promoting a safe, transparent, and responsible entertainment experience. Flutter Brazil also maintains a strong partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR).
The post Flutter Brazil brings Betnacional and Betfair in Copa do Nordeste to promote Responsible Gaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alea
Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions
Alea is returning to NEXT.io Valletta from May 26th to 28th, with Founder Alexandre Tomic taking part in several sessions focused on leadership, regulation, and the future direction of the iGaming industry.
The week begins on May 26th during NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day, where Alexandre will join the panel “Founders Anonymous – The Conversations That Don’t Make the Press Release.” The discussion will focus on the realities behind building companies, from fundraising and acquisitions to the difficult decisions founders face as businesses grow.
On May 27th, Alexandre will also moderate “The Day the Lights Go Out,” an interactive keynote built around a simulated regulatory crisis scenario, challenging industry leaders to react live to the sudden shutdown of major markets.
Later that day, he will present “The World Under One Lens,” a keynote exploring how behavioural data at an aggregator scale is reshaping the industry’s understanding of player behaviour, game performance, and global market trends.
Beyond the conference stage
Alongside the conference agenda, Alea will once again sponsor the Ice Bath & Yoga/Breathwork session on the morning of May 26th, led by world-record open water swimmer Neil Agius.
The session has become one of the more unique traditions surrounding the event week, giving attendees a slower start before the pace of the conference takes over.
That same evening, Alea and NEXT.io will host an exclusive CXO dinner at Contessa Restaurant inside The Phoenicia Malta, where selected industry leaders will meet for an evening of conversation, vegetarian dining, cocktails, and live music ahead of the conference opening.
Supporting the Malta community
To close the week, Alea will also attend the BGaming Charity Gala on May 29th in support of DAR Bjorn, the Maltese neurological home founded by ALS advocate Bjorn FormMosa.
“I came to the DAR Bjorn gala last year not knowing very much about Bjorn or the foundation. And then I saw him there, in his bed, while we were all standing on our two legs having a good time. That changes you.
You can’t unsee it. We take so much for granted, the body working, getting up in the morning, walking across the room. Bjorn is fighting for all of that and still showing up. I’m coming back because I believe I have to. If you’re in Malta that week and you’re on the fence, come. There’s something about that room that stays with you,” said Alexandre Tomic, Founder of Alea.
Representing Alea in Malta will be Alexandre Tomic alongside members of the company’s Business Development, Partnerships, Account Management, and Marketing teams.
Event Schedule
- NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day – May 26
- NEXT.io Valletta – May 27 & 28
- BGaming Charity Gala – May 29
About Alea
Alea is a leading iGaming aggregator, offering a customizable platform that provides operators worldwide with seamless access to over 23,000 games from 170+ top-tier providers through a single API integration.
Known for its innovative technology, Alea simplifies the integration journey and delivers a flexible, scalable solution designed to enhance game variety, player experience, and operational efficiency.
Alea is highly committed to a security-first infrastructure, ensuring reliability and trust at every level. In 2024, the company strengthened its cybersecurity framework through a strategic partnership with Continent 8 and achieved VAPT certification.
In addition to game aggregation, Alea has introduced Alea Pay, an exclusive payment gateway that further optimizes financial transactions. With a strong focus on security, compliance, and ongoing support, Alea continues to empower operators with cutting-edge tools to thrive in the evolving iGaming market.
For more information, visit www.alea.com.
The post Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
AI
Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law
The Isle of Man’s Data Asset Foundations legislation has received Royal Assent, bringing into law what the government and partners describe as the world’s first statutory framework for recognising and managing governed data assets.
With Royal Assent granted, the programme moves into implementation. Digital Isle of Man said the next phase includes developing a Data Asset Register, drafting supporting regulations, and building the operational systems needed to run the framework.
A central element is a statutory Data Asset Register intended to record, classify and oversee recognised data assets. Digital Isle of Man said consultation on the register and registrar model has already taken place and industry feedback is being used to shape regulations and operational guidance.
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said:
‘Receiving Royal Assent marks a proud and historic moment for the Isle of Man and reflects years of dedicated work to develop a concept that did not previously exist anywhere in the world and bring it fully into law.
‘As the first jurisdiction in the world to fully establish a framework of this kind, the Isle of Man is demonstrating what becomes possible when innovation, collaboration and regulatory agility come together with clear long-term ambition.’
Aga Strandskov, Head of Data Strategy at Digital Isle of Man, said:
‘Many organisations already recognise data as a major business asset but have lacked the legal certainty needed to use it with confidence. That’s exactly what this new legislation enables.
‘The focus now turns to building the wider ecosystem, operational capability and practical implementation needed to support the next phase of the programme. The Register, supporting regulations and operational infrastructure are all active workstreams already progressing at pace.
‘For businesses, this creates real commercial opportunities that have previously been difficult to support within existing legal and operational models, from governed AI training datasets and trusted cross-organisational collaboration through to new approaches around data-sharing, financing and value creation.’
John Bottega, President at EDM Association, said:
‘Globally, organisations are increasingly looking for clearer structures around how valuable data can be governed, shared and used responsibly.
‘The Isle of Man taking this step reflects a growing shift towards more mature and scalable approaches to trusted data governance that support both innovation and accountability.’
The post Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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