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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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Report affirms Ygam’s leading role in gambling harm prevention

The latest Ygam impact report reiterates the integral role that the charity plays in preventing gaming and gambling harms among young people.
Between January 2024 to March 2025, Ygam trained nearly 10,000 delegates and reached and estimated 1.3 million children and young people across the UK – the highest reach figure since its inception in 2014. Recognised as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to prevention gambling harms among young people, Ygam has continued to set the standard in the sector.
The charity has significantly strengthened its focus on data, evaluation, and evidence-based practice, commissioning independent evaluations of four of its flagship programmes. These evaluations have generated robust insights into the long-term effectiveness of Ygam’s approach and are helping to shape the future of prevention education across the UK.
This report brings together a rich body of evidence, including independent evaluations, pre- and post-training feedback, and delegate testimonials – compiled to inform strategic direction and long-term effect.
Ygam’s growing prominence is reflected in its expanding reputation and influence across the youth sector. The charity continues to build strong partnerships with schools, universities, youth organisations, and community groups, ensuring its resources are embedded where they can make the greatest impact. Ygam is now working with esteemed brands including The Scouts, NSPCC, The Children’s Society, TSB Bank, Place2Be, and Barnardo’s.
The charity’s work has also been praised by Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, who welcomed the publication of the report.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Baroness Twycross, said: “I welcome this report, which highlights Ygam’s vital role in educating more than one million young people on how to lead safer digital lives.
One of my key priorities as gambling minister is to strengthen protections around those most vulnerable to harmful gambling and I look forward to collaborating with Ygam in future as we continue to build a safer online space for young people.”
Helen Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive at Ygam, said: “I’m incredibly proud to present this impact report, which highlights Ygam’s leading role in the prevention field and our recognised expertise in safeguarding children and young people. Central to our success is a strong commitment to collaboration and the transformative power of partnership.
I’m delighted with the strides we’ve made in evaluating our work. While our reach figures are impressive, they represent just one facet of the significant impact we are achieving. By investing time and resources in rigorous evaluation, we ensure our programmes are not only evidence-based but also exemplify best-in-class standards and deliver lasting impact.
Our dedication to thorough evaluation, ongoing learning, and reflective practice empowers us to continually enhance our approach and meet the evolving needs of the communities we support. This commitment will continue to reinforce our position as trusted experts in the field.”
Key findings of the Impact Report 2024/2025:
- 1,324,416 estimated young people reach through delegates trained.
- 9,448 delegates trained in positions of care and influence over young people, including 3,762 teachers and youth workers.
- 1 million social media impressions, marking 322% increase from 2023.
- 97% of delegates would recommend Ygam training to a colleague.
- 97% of delegates felt better equipped to identify and respond to gambling harms following Ygam training.
- 50% of teachers and youth workers said they had implemented the Ygam materials in their classroom within 12 months of completing the training.
- 2,134 volunteer leaders were reached through the Scout Association partnership, safeguarding an estimated 45,000 children and young people.
- 50 universities visited across the UK.
- 115,000 estimated university students reach.
This report reinforces the charity’s commitment to independent evaluation, learning, and reflection, which helps to continuously strengthen their our own portfolio and harm prevention efforts across the wider sector.
You can read Ygam’s full Impact Report 2024-5 here.
The post Report affirms Ygam’s leading role in gambling harm prevention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Midnite named principal partner of Sheffield United

- Midnite to be Blades’ front-of-shirt sponsor for 2025-26 season
- Lucky season ticket holders will get VIP seat upgrade for every match thanks to Midnite
- Midnite is among UK’s fastest-growing sportsbooks.
Midnite, one of the UK’s fastest-growing online sportsbooks, has been named as the principal partner of Sheffield United for the 2025-26 season.
Midnite’s logo will be on the front of Blades shirts for the men’s and women’s adult first teams, training kits and adult replica shirts. It will also be displayed around Bramall Lane, on home match team sheets, the matchday programme and across the club’s social media channels.
The partnership also launches Midnite Premium Seat Upgrade. This will see two lucky season ticket holders drawn at random before each men’s home league game to enjoy a premium match experience in the prestigious Tony Currie Suite.
Midnite and Sheffield United will also collaborate to bring Blades fans closer to their club with a series of unique moments and unprecedented opportunities throughout the season.
Midnite was the official betting partner of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, held at the Crucible in Sheffield earlier this year.
Jonathan Shaw, Vice President of Growth at Midnite, said: “It’s a privilege for Midnite to become principal partner of Sheffield United for the coming season. The club has a proud history and a strong connection with its supporters and we’re committed to helping make this a memorable season for Blades fans.
“This partnership continues our efforts to grow Midnite as a challenger brand in the UK market, as we look to build our presence and offer a genuine alternative to the established tier-one operators. We’re looking forward to working with the club and its supporters throughout the season.”
Paul Fielder Head of Commercial for Sheffield United Football Club said: “We’re pleased to welcome Midnite as our principal partner for the 2025-26 season. They’ve shown a clear commitment to working with the club and its supporters and we’ve been impressed by their thoughtful and collaborative approach.
“We look forward to developing the partnership over the season and providing Blades fans with some memorable moments along the way.”
Midnite and Sheffield United’s partnership will operate in accordance with the Gambling Commission’s codes of practice.
The post Midnite named principal partner of Sheffield United appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Unlock Top-Tier Deals and Careers: Parimatch joins iGB L!VE 2025

Parimatch, the global entertainment company, is set to make a significant impact at iGB L!VE 2025, taking place in London from July 2–3. Located at Stand E34, the Parimatch team will welcome industry leaders, potential partners, and top talent to explore a world of premium entertainment opportunities.
iGB L!VE is a cornerstone event in the iGaming calendar. That is why Parimatch is creating a hub for high-value connections with key decision-makers. The stand will be a must-visit destination for attendees seeking access to a top-tier network of C-level executives and the best deals from an Affiliate program operating globally across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The Parimatch Affiliate team will be on hand to discuss the best deals and hottest offers, designed to drive high performance for partners.
The Parimatch experience at Stand E34 is designed to be unforgettable, going beyond performance to build strong alliances and celebrate shared success. Demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond industry standards, Parimatch Affiliates will host an exclusive side event for its top partners: a trip to the Formula 1 race in Silverstone. This ethos will be reflected at the stand through a dynamic atmosphere where insights and energy converge, complete with engaging activities, prize draws, and limited-edition merchandise drops.
In addition to fostering business objectives, Parimatch is focusing more than ever on its employer brand. The company’s Employer Brand and HR teams will be on-site for open conversations with talented professionals. Visitors can gain direct insights into Parimatch’s vibrant corporate culture, diverse work formats, and significant career opportunities. This provides a transparent look into life at a leading global entertainment company.
The post Unlock Top-Tier Deals and Careers: Parimatch joins iGB L!VE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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