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3 in 10 Brits Have Skipped a Shower or a Meal to Play Video Games in Lockdown

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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.

  1. FIFA 21 (2.18 million)
  2. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (1.4 million)
  3. Grand Theft Auto 5 (1.1 million)
  4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (800,000)
  5. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (660,000)
  6. The Last of Us Part II (530,000)
  7. NBA 2K20 (480,000)
  8. 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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BC.Game’s new CEO Kar Kheng Giam on strategy, structure and growth

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Following his appointment as CEO of BC.Game in March, Kar Kheng Giam (KK) speaks about the strategic priorities shaping the company’s next phase, from strengthening operational foundations to navigating the evolving role of crypto within regulated gaming markets.

 

 You’ve stepped into the CEO role at a pivotal time for the industry. How do you assess the current position of BC.Game?

BC.Game enters this stage from a position of strength in terms of product, user engagement and global reach.

At the same time, the broader industry is evolving. Expectations around governance, regulatory alignment and operational maturity are increasing, particularly for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

So while the foundation is strong, there is a clear opportunity to further strengthen the structure of the business to support long-term, sustainable growth.

That foundation is reflected in the scale of the business today, with more than 9 million registered users and over 500,000 monthly active players, and in the progress we’ve made across licensed markets such as Anjouan, Kenya, Nigeria and Mexico.

How would you define the strategic focus for BC.Game over the next 12 to 24 months?

It comes down to three interconnected areas. First, reinforcing the operational and governance framework of the business, ensuring we are well aligned with the expectations of more established regulatory environments.

Second, continuing to invest in the product – not just in terms of content, but in the overall user experience and platform reliability.

And third, taking a disciplined approach to market expansion, focusing on jurisdictions where we can build a sustainable and compliant presence.

It’s about evolving the business in a structured and deliberate way.

You’ve highlighted governance and structure. What does that mean in practical terms?

It means putting in place the systems, processes and organisational clarity needed to operate at scale.

As companies grow internationally, complexity increases – across regulation, payments, technology and operations. Strengthening governance is about ensuring those elements are well coordinated and consistently managed.

This is not about changing what BC.Game is, but about building the framework that allows it to grow more effectively.

Why has trust become so important at this stage?

At BC.GAME’s scale, trust is no longer just about brand but increasingly becomes a business issue – it affects retention, partnerships, market entry and long-term growth.

And trust is built in very practical ways. People judge a platform by whether the rules are clear, whether communication is smooth, and whether issues actually get resolved. That’s why growth on its own is no longer enough.

Where is the most immediate trust pressure on BC.GAME showing up today?

The pressure shows up most clearly in user experience and issue handling because that’s where people feel it first.

Some of the feedback does point to response times and cases where issues stay in the same entry point for too long. When that happens often enough, it becomes bigger than a service issue, it starts to shape trust.

What changes is BC.GAME putting in place in response to these issues?

 We’ve already started making changes. That includes upgrading how user issues are handled, bringing cross-functional teams in earlier, and improving how issues are identified and coordinated internally.

As the business has grown, relying too heavily on a single customer support entry point is no longer enough. The focus now is to make issue handling clearer, more stable, and better suited to the scale of the platform.

What role does organisational development play in this next phase?

As the business grows, it’s important to ensure that the organisation evolves alongside it. That includes strengthening leadership structures, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and building capabilities in key areas such as compliance and market operations.

Ultimately, strategy is only as effective as the organisation delivering it.

From a leadership perspective, how do you approach guiding a globally distributed business?

In a global organisation, alignment is critical – everyone needs to understand the strategic direction and how their role contributes to it. At the same time, there needs to be flexibility to adapt to local market dynamics.

My role is to create that balance – providing clear direction while enabling teams to execute effectively within their markets.

Finally, what does success look like for BC.Game over the next few years?

Success is about building a more structured, resilient and trusted business.

That means strengthening our position in regulated markets, continuing to evolve the product, and ensuring the organisation is equipped to operate at scale. This current period is a crucial one for us as we introduce multiple product rollouts at BC.GAME, with several key updates scheduled to go live. These include BC Engine, along with a broader upgrade to the bonus system and, of course, the World Cup.

If we can achieve that through consistent, incremental progress, then we will be well positioned for the long term.

The post BC.Game’s new CEO Kar Kheng Giam on strategy, structure and growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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NOVOMATIC to Showcase Strong Portfolio and Regional Highlights at Belgrade Future Gaming 2026

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NOVOMATIC is going to participate in Belgrade Future Gaming 2026 on May 26-27. At the event, the company will showcase a powerful and regionally tailored portfolio, underlining its strong market position and long-standing commitment to Southeast Europe. Visitors to the NOVOMATIC booth can expect a carefully curated mix of high-performing linked progressive solutions, advanced game content and premium cabinet experiences – all designed to meet the specific preferences of the Balkan market.

A key highlight of this year’s showcase is the Impera Line HD Edition 10 – Balkan Special, specifically developed to address regional player demands with a customised selection of popular game content. The presentation is further strengthened by Impera PROLINK 2, delivering engaging linked progressive gameplay and multi-feature performance on international casino floors.

NOVOMATIC’s internationally successful linked progressive portfolio will be prominently featured with multiple entries from the XTENSION LINK series, including Volumes 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as XTENSION LINK Ultimate, offering a broad range of game styles and mechanics that continue to resonate strongly with players worldwide.

Another major attraction is VISION LINK, NOVOMATIC’s latest multi-feature linked progressive concept, combining modern gameplay design, five-pot mechanics and the popular LOCK&SPIN feature to create an engaging and scalable player experience.

The showcase is complemented by the GAMINATOR X5, a proven performer known for its strong game mix and versatile customization options, allowing operators to configure tailored package setups aligned with local player preferences.

Taking center stage is the DIAMOND X QUATTRO 1.55J, NOVOMATIC’s flagship cabinet and winner of the “Best Slot Machine” category at the prestigious European Casino Awards 2026. Combining a striking 55-inch J-curved UHD display with a refined glass touch deck and premium sound experience, the DIAMOND X QUATTRO 1.55J delivers exceptional visual impact and immersive gameplay, making it a standout centerpiece on any gaming floor.

NOVOMATIC will also present a premium setup of V.I.P. X cabinets, including the V.I.P. X Royal 1.85 and the award-winning V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65 cabinet, paired with top-performing content and demonstrating high-end gaming solutions for modern casino environments.

“With our presence at Belgrade Future Gaming, we are reaffirming NOVOMATIC’s strong commitment to Southeast Europe. Our portfolio combines proven international performance with tailored regional content. From advanced linked progressive solutions such as VISION LINK and the XTENSION LINK series to customized offerings like the Impera Line HD Edition 10 – Balkan Special, we are delivering solutions that meet the specific expectations of our partners and players in this region,” said Miloš Pejić, Regional Manager SEE at NOVOMATIC.

The post NOVOMATIC to Showcase Strong Portfolio and Regional Highlights at Belgrade Future Gaming 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Daniel Cuc

REEVO Announces New Partnership with Tuko Productions

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REEVO has announced a new partnership with Tuko Productions, a well-established Italian game development studio and content provider. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, expanding its offering with a portfolio of proven, performance-driven titles developed for one of Europe’s most competitive regulated markets.

Through this partnership, Tuko’s extensive catalogue is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to a wide range of video slots, table games and instant games through a single, efficient integration. The addition of Tuko reinforces REEVO’s commitment to delivering high-quality content that performs across regulated environments.

For REEVO, this partnership represents another important step in building a high-performance aggregation platform that combines innovation with reliability.

Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Tuko is a strong step forward for REEVO as we continue to expand our aggregation platform with proven and high-performing content. Tuko brings a catalogue that has already demonstrated its strength in one of the most competitive regulated markets in Europe, which adds real value to our ecosystem. At REEVO, we are focused on delivering content that performs and supports operators in achieving strong results, and this partnership reinforces that commitment.”

Tuko’s portfolio reflects years of collaboration with leading operators in the Italian market, resulting in games that deliver consistent engagement and performance across a wide range of player preferences. By joining the REEVO platform, Tuko gains access to a broader international distribution network while contributing to REEVO’s growing content ecosystem.

Vincenzo Tancredi, Head of Sales at Tuko, said: “Our catalogue has been built alongside the most important operators in the Italian regulated market, and that experience is reflected in every title we deliver. Through REEVO’s aggregation platform, we are able to extend the reach of our content and bring a proven portfolio to a wider network of operators.”

The post REEVO Announces New Partnership with Tuko Productions appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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