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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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With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform provider, will present its full ecosystem at Stand N150 during SiGMA South America 2026, taking place from April 7–9 in São Paulo, Brazil.
With South America rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic iGaming regions, BetConstruct AI is positioning itself as a key partner for operators looking to scale efficiently and competitively. The company delivers a vast offering, including over 140,000 pre-match events, 90,000+ live matches monthly, and 45,000+ casino games from 350+ providers.
One Platform, Multiple Growth Drivers
Visitors to Stand N150 will experience live demos across six core solution areas:
Acquisition, Content & Entertainment
A comprehensive offering spanning sportsbook, casino aggregation, affiliate marketing through Affigates, and six flexible front-end solutions, including crypto-ready platforms.
Payments & Licensing
With 500+ payment integrations and a fully managed licensing service, BetConstruct AI enables operators to enter regulated South American markets with confidence and compliance.
Retention & CRM
AI-powered CRM tools predict churn up to 14 days in advance, identify high-value players early, and automate personalized engagement across multiple channels. A game recommendation engine further enhances player activity and revenue potential.
Risk Management
The Umbrella AI system combines sportsbook and casino risk, AML, and responsible gaming into a unified solution. Advanced tools detect fraudulent behavior early and forecast negative-value players well in advance.
Operational Services
End-to-end support includes licensing, digital marketing, CRM management, trading, risk control, and infrastructure protection.
BetConstruct AI Poker
A flexible B2B poker network offering turnkey, white-label, or API integration, supported by strong liquidity, built-in security, and Web3-ready infrastructure.
World Cup-Focused Engagement Tools
To help operators maximize opportunities around the 2026 World Cup, BetConstruct AI is introducing two zero-cost promotional solutions:
Powerfull (Pre-Tournament Campaign)
A challenge-based campaign running before kickoff, rewarding players with Free Bets that accumulate and activate during the tournament—driving engagement, reactivation, and cross-product activity.
Bet on League (In-Tournament Hub)
A fully integrated World Cup hub featuring standings, schedules, and interactive tools that convert fan engagement into betting activity. It includes AI-powered bet suggestions and requires no additional development or fees.
Beyond the Expo
In addition to the exhibition, BetConstruct AI will host an exclusive Harmony ChoiceMe event on April 7 at Tetto Lounge in São Paulo, offering industry leaders a premium networking environment.
As the South American market accelerates, BetConstruct AI invites operators to visit Stand N150 to explore how its platform, tools, and expertise can drive the next phase of growth.
The post BetConstruct AI Showcases Full Platform at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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