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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belatra Gaming
Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs
Belatra, a leading developer of innovative online slots, has unveiled its latest high-stakes release, Cops vs Robbs—a 5-reel slot that plunges players into the classic battle between law enforcement and daring outlaws. Noir-inspired visuals, a gripping soundtrack, and dynamic gameplay bring the crime thriller to life.
Choose Your Side: Cops or Robbers
Players can stake their allegiance before spinning:
- Cops Mode: Smoother gameplay with frequent, consistent wins.
- Robbers Mode: High-volatility action for players chasing big payouts.
Multiplier Wilds & Shootout Mechanics
Wild symbols expand to cover entire reels and grow multipliers with each step—up to x5 for Cops and x10 for Robbers. Multiple Wilds on a payline combine values for explosive wins, and landing five simultaneously triggers the 10,000x grand prize.
The Shootout mechanic dynamically drops high-value Coin symbols (Cops) or forces random winning combos (Robbers), keeping the action unpredictable.
Hold & Win Bonus and Buy Feature
During Hold & Win, cash and power-up symbols lock for three spins. Special tools like the Revolver Drum and Thompson Submachine Gun double coin values, while Coin Merge consolidates full lines for larger payouts.
The Buy Bonus menu offers direct access to three options: a Cop-themed Hold & Win for consistent returns, a Robber-themed version for high ceilings, or a guaranteed Wild spin delivering 1–5 Wilds with 10,000x win potential.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented:
“Cops vs Robbs is a fully customisable gambling experience where players can adjust their risk and reward. With Multiplier Wilds, Shootout mechanics, and Hold & Win bonuses, every spin has the potential to change the plot, just like the best crime thrillers.”
The post Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
GR8 Tech
GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results
Attracting World Cup traffic is easy, but converting that traffic into bets—and retaining those players—depends on the sportsbook experience. GR8 Tech is addressing this with a major overhaul of ULTIM8 Sportsbook, its flagship sports betting solution.
“The World Cup moves a lot of money regardless of operators,” said Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech. “The challenge is retaining it. Players who can find and place bets efficiently during the group stage are the ones you keep.”
Seamless Navigation and Reduced Friction
The upgraded sportsbook separates Live and Pre-Match flows, adds dedicated Sport and Tournament Lobbies, and introduces multiple entry points to bring players directly to their desired content. This reduces friction and boosts conversion. The widget-based architecture now spans the redesigned navigation, allowing operators to manage layouts, campaigns, and featured markets without developer support—crucial during fast-moving tournaments.
Enhanced Bet Builder for Football
GR8 Tech expands Bet Builder with Corners, Cards, and Player Props for football, offering more combinations per slip. Longer sessions and more complex bets drive higher margins and deeper engagement.
Bet Booster Promotions Embedded in the Product
Odds-based promotions via Bet Booster provide boosted markets inside the sportsbook without eroding margin. Integrated with segmentation and the new navigation, the tool enhances player retention and activation while leveraging Bet Builder for maximum impact.
Sharper Odds, Controlled Margin
A dedicated Enhanced Prices market allows operators to offer competitive odds for football without impacting promotional mechanics on the standard market. This structural separation balances sharp pricing with profitability.
Ready for the Tournament
Several upgrades are already live, with the remainder rolling out before the World Cup begins. ULTIM8 Sportsbook offers operators a proven revenue stream with minimal operational overhead, making it a key tool for the year’s biggest betting window.
GR8 Tech.
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of sportsbook and iGaming solutions, including ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and proprietary affiliate management via Aff.Tech. Focused on operator-first innovation, GR8 Tech has delivered measurable results in over 100 markets and was named Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.
The post GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
1spin4win
1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026
The conference will take place from May 4 to 5, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. 1spin4win delegates will join over 3,500 iGaming professionals for two days of networking, trend exploration, and knowledge exchange.
The provider will attend with a branded Stand E11 showcasing its portfolio of over 200 classic slots. Designed to drive strong player retention and engagement, their games stand out for their simple, intuitive gameplay and proven mechanics, including Hold and Win, an option especially popular in Kenya. Additionally, 1spin4win titles are fully compatible with mobile devices and run smoothly even on weaker internet connections.
For the studio, the event marks another step in reinforcing its standing in the African markets by strengthening relationships with existing partners and exploring new collaboration opportunities. Among their growing network of 1,000 global clients are international brands with a strong presence in the region, such as BC.Game, 1xBet, 22bet, N1bet, and 1win.
This momentum is reflected in the company’s recent performance in Africa. In 2025, 1spin4win saw GGR surge 11.8x, while bets increased 9.2x. This growth has continued into 2026. Comparing the first three months of 2026 with the last three months of 2025, bets rose by a further 9.73%, while player numbers climbed by 8.23%.
As part of the iGA Summit, participants can join expert-led discussions on key trends shaping the future of the African iGaming market. Among the speakers will be Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win. On the second day of the event, he will take part in a panel discussion on Best-Selling Games and Sportsbook or Casino Platforms in Africa. Jaime will share his expertise and insights into popular slot trends in the region and answer audience questions.
Another highlight of the conference is the awards ceremony on May 4, where the winners of the iGA Awards 2026 will be announced. 1spin4win is also in the running, nominated for Online Slot Supplier of the Year in recognition of excellence and innovation in the African iGaming industry.
Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, commented, “At 1spin4win, we’re excited to be part of one of the biggest iGaming gatherings in Africa. We look forward to reconnecting with our partners, engaging with industry peers, and showcasing our diverse classic portfolio. We believe our games, already proven across global markets, are a strong fit for Africa, meeting the needs of both players and operators.”
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
The post 1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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