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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Amusnet
Amusnet Introduces its “Jackpot Cards Plus” Island at Casino Adjara
Amusnet has introduced its “Jackpot Cards Plus” island at Casino Adjara, bringing S55J slot cabinets into one of Tbilisi’s most established venues. More than just a placement, the installation represents a strategic step in the company’s growing presence across key regulated markets.
Positioned prominently on the floor, the island format immediately draws attention. The S55J cabinets combine next-generation hardware architecture with high-definition visual performance and ergonomic design, delivering a smooth, immersive playing experience. Integrated with the Amusebox Package which is a curated portfolio of 51 proven titles, the setup delivers both variety and performance in a single, cohesive offering.
At the center of the installation is the multi-level Jackpot Cards Plus system. Designed to heighten anticipation and sustain engagement, it transforms individual gameplay into a shared experience, encouraging longer sessions and driving measurable results for the operator.
The sales team at Amusnet’s Georgia office commented that the market has strong potential and a clear appetite for high-quality land-based entertainment.
“Our installation at Casino Adjara is part of a broader vision to establish a sustainable and scalable presence in the region. With ‘Jackpot Cards Plus,’ we are implementing a performance-driven concept designed to optimize floor dynamics and deliver consistent results. This partnership demonstrates how our land-based portfolio can adapt to established venues while maintaining the identity and strength of our product ecosystem,” they said.
For Amusnet, the rollout marks one of its first strategic land-based installations in Georgia, an important milestone that reflects the company’s ability to successfully transition its established game portfolio into high-performing casino cabinet environments.
Igor Kokanovich, Slot Manager at Casino Adjara, said: “Casino Adjara highly values its partnership with Amusnet, recognizing the company as a dependable, professional, and forward-thinking partner. The launch of the ‘Jackpot Cards Plus’ island, featuring S55J cabinets and the Amusebox Package of 51 games, has strengthened our slot floor offering. The technology platform, cabinet design, and diversified game mix have added new momentum to our gaming environment while enhancing overall player engagement.
“We expect solid commercial results and long-term value from this installation and look forward to further expanding our cooperation.”
Through collaborations with leading operators such as Casino Adjara, Amusnet continues to build its land-based growth trajectory market by market.
The post Amusnet Introduces its “Jackpot Cards Plus” Island at Casino Adjara appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
Spillemyndigheden: New Guidance on Responsible Gambling
The Danish Gambling Authority has published a new gudiance on responsible gambling, which is targeted licence holders who offer betting and online casino.
The guidance reviews the rules on responsible gambling and also contain interpretations on how, as a licence holder who offers betting and online casino, can meet the requirements to offer gambling in a responsible manner.
The DGA’s guidance on responsible Gambling for Betting and Online Casino
The post Spillemyndigheden: New Guidance on Responsible Gambling appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Dr Faye Graver
Gambling Helpline and Specialist Treatment Service to be Launched in Wales
A new NHS specialist gambling treatment service and helpline will be launched in Wales on April 1.
The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy described this as a ‘landmark moment’, providing support for tens of thousands of people who could be at risk of gambling-related harm.
The Wales Gambling Helpline will provide information, advice and support to anyone affected by gambling-related harms, including family members and others impacted. If needed, it will also refer people onto treatment services.
Treatment for gambling harms will be accessible through a secure online platform, allowing support to be provided remotely.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been awarded £1.3 million a year by the Welsh Government to run the treatment service and helpline. The funding comes from the money raised from the UK-wide gambling levy.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: “This is a landmark moment marking the first time specialist gambling treatment and support services will be available from the NHS in Wales.
“The helpline will be a form of open access support available to people who need it the most and fits into the ambitions of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
“Guided by the evidence, we’re confident this approach is the most effective way to deliver essential support for both prevention and treatment.”
Clinical lead for gambling treatment services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Dr Faye Graver said: “We are establishing a specialist gambling treatment service and the Wales Gambling Helpline to provide much-needed support for people struggling with gambling addiction.
“They will provide the necessary support, advice and information not only to people experiencing gambling-related harms, but also their family members and others affected.”
The post Gambling Helpline and Specialist Treatment Service to be Launched in Wales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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