Industry News
LAN Parties: Revival and Evolution in 2023

In the early 2000’s, LAN (Local Area Network) parties made up a large part of what some call the golden age of gaming. But as Wifi connections became stronger and cheaper, multiplayer gaming moved online, and LAN parties took a step back from the limelight.
Even though they may seem extinct to some, there’s still a strong LAN scene. With Insomnia the Gaming Festival taking place from the 7th to the 10th of September, domain and hosting experts, and event guest, Fasthosts, wanted to explore the current state of LAN parties in 2023, rounding up some of the biggest events taking place worldwide.
Originating in the 70s, it wasn’t until the turn of the millennium that LAN parties became the driving social gatherings of the gamer community. It was common to see teens transferring their heavy setups to friends’ houses to revel in hours worth of gameplay in bunker-like basements and dated living rooms. LAN parties were the first true form of multiplayer gaming and involved each player to BYOC (Bring our Own Computer), and gather together in the same physical location and connect their computers or consoles to play offline LAN-compatible games.
Nowadays, most game servers no longer support LAN connections. Nonetheless, informal small “friendly” events take place across the world alongside larger tournaments. Interestingly, they have witnessed a shift by partially merging with the competitive world of eSports. Many tournaments recognise the appeal and importance of keeping their novelty alive, and have incorporated social gaming, and BYOC areas where participants can enjoy more casual playing sessions with friends or acquaintances.
With their rich cultural history and nostalgia, they are still enjoyed by avid gamers worldwide and bridge the gap between the past and present world of gaming. In fact, there are plenty of events that promote LAN style gaming and casual play – here are some of the largest events that are reviving the classic spirit of gaming:
Insomnia the Gaming Festival (UK)
Insomnia is the biggest gaming festival in the UK. Each year it hosts eSport competitions, meet and greets, cosplay, and gaming-related events. Insomnia are hosting their i7i LAN party on the 10/09 where you can compete in tournaments or friendly battles.
QuakeCon (USA)
QuakeCon is an annual video game convention that takes place in Texas. It is primarily centred around id software’s game, especially the Quake series. It will be the first in-person event since 2019, and it is said that this year’s convention will bring greater emphasis to the BYOC side of the event.
LanTrek (Finland)
LanTrek is an annual gaming event that started in 2001. Aimed at all young people interested in computers, consoles, board games and gaming, it features competitive tournaments, exhibition areas, and a BYOC option where individuals can enjoy casual gaming with their friends.
The Gathering (Norway)
The gathering takes place in April of each year in the Viking Ship in Hamar. As Norway’s biggest computing event, they celebrate Easter with games, eSport competition, lectures, and concerts. It is also run entirely by volunteers and non-profit organisations.
Dreamhack (Worldwide)
Dreamhack is one of the largest LAN party and gaming festivals globally. It started in Sweden but soon popped up in various other locations, including the US, France, India, and Spain. Each event combines eSports, LAN gaming, concerts, meet and greets and more.
Gamers Assembly (France)
Unlike others on this list, Gamers Assembly is solely a LAN gaming event. Organised by the FutuoLAN association it attracts thousands of players each year looking to take part in the tournaments from popular eSport titles to more niche selections.
Assembly (Finland)
The biggest gaming convention in Finland, it attracts an average of 30,000 participants every event. Centred around gaming, eSports and digital culture, for the summer 23 edition, Assembly announced their largest ever LAN area to date.
PAX (USA & Australia)
PAX takes place in numerous locations around the US and Australia. Although primarily a gaming event it offers a BYOC/community playing option alongside other fun features such as talks, game demos, concerts, and tournaments.
Industry News
Skill Gaming Market Size to Surpass USD 85.34 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 13.3%

The global skill gaming market size was USD 30.99 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 85.34 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their latest research report titled “Global Skill Gaming Market Forecast, 2023-2030.”
Gamers and developers are attracted to skill-based games for mental challenges, social interaction, and competitive opportunities. The scope of this study includes the platforms and games which require the players to compete and utilize real currency with other players. Such games are considered into casino games, board games, sportsbooks, puzzle games, word games, and poker.
Key Industry Developments:
March 2023: Dream11 in partnership with Legends League Cricket as the Official Fantasy Partner for the LLC Masters tournament. The tournament featured three teams – Asia Lions, India Maharajas, and World Giants.
Key Takeaways
- Skill Gaming Market size in North America was USD 8.77 billion in 2022
- Rise in Gaming Applications Usage during the Pandemic Led to Market Growth
- Rising Demand for Advancement in Internet Technology to Drive the Market Growth
- Board Based Segment to Dominate due to Consumers’ Tendency to Switch to Alternative Board Games
Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:
“Companies leading the global Skill Gaming Market are Skillz, Inc. (U.S.), Arkadium, Inc. (U.S.), AviaGames, Inc. (U.S.), GameDuell GmbH (Germany), GSN Games (U.S.), Junglee Games (U.S.), Big Fish Games (U.S.), Sporta Sports Technologies Private Limited (India), Triumph LLC (U.S.), Game Taco Inc. (U.S.)”
Report Scope & Segmentation
Report Coverage | Details |
Forecast Period | 2023 to 2030 |
Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR | 13.3% |
2030 Value Projection | USD 85.34 billion |
Base Year | 2022 |
Skill Gaming Market Size in 2022 | USD 30.99 billion |
Historical Data for | 2019 to 2021 |
No. of Pages | 120 |
Segments Covered | By Skill Type, Game Genre, and Region |
Drivers & Restraints
Turbocharging Gaming Speed of the 5G Network Augments the Development of Skill-based Games
Unlimited internet facilities and emerging 5G coverage are progressively becoming the new norm globally, subsequently complementing mobile gaming. 5G offers better download speeds and lesser latency during gaming.
Legislation and rules regarding different industries vary from country to country in various regions. When it comes to skill-based games, they are also often confused with gambling, which is restricted in several countries.
Segmentation
By Game Genre
- Card Based
- Board Based
- Dice Based
- Tile Based
- Word and Number Based
- Puzzle-Based and Animated Games
By Skill Type
- Physical
- Mental
By Industry
- BFSI
- Cloud & Data center
- Government
- Energy & Utilities
- Healthcare
- Automotive
- Others (Gaming, Retail & Consumer Goods, and others)
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- South America
Regional Insights
North America Dominated the Market Owing to Increasing Demand for Mobile Devices
North America led the market share in 2022. North America witnessed an exponential growth owing to the production of mobile devices and the availability of new consoles in the North America market.
Europe is estimated to grow with a noteworthy CAGR during the projected period. The growth of the gaming sector has led to the development of new gaming platforms, such as subscription-based services and cloud gaming, that give players access to skill gaming.
Competitive Landscape
Prominent Key Players Focusing on Partnerships and Acquisitions are Expanding their Product Offerings
Skill gaming companies form strategic collaborations and alliances to enlarge the technologies, business, products, and other offerings with year-on-year revenue growth. Mergers, partnerships, and collaborations differ as per the business requirements, such as the enlargement of the product portfolio, which helps grow their presence and acquire a new customer base.
FAQs
How big is the Skill Gaming Market?
The Skill Gaming Market size was USD 30.99 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 85.34 billion by 2030.
How fast is the Skill Gaming Market growing?
The Skill Gaming Market will exhibit a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period, 2023-2030.
Industry News
Amusnet to Participate in SBC Summit Barcelona

Amusnet is going to participate in the 3rd edition of the SBC Summit Barcelona, to be held on September 19-21 at the Fira Barcelona Montjuïc, Spain. At the event, the company will act as a Premium Sponsor, in addition to showcasing its latest products for the online industry.
At booth CG40, the leading international iGaming provider will showcase its most famous casino products such as 20 Golden Coins, Fruits & Gold, Candy Palace, 20 Bulky Fruits and Cocktail Rush, as well as its renowned Live Casino titles like Vegas 500x Roulette, Dynamic Roulette 120x and European Roulettе. The company will be also presenting its newest captivating 5-reel slots Cavemen & Dinosaurs and Dancing Dead, emphasising on its diverse and ever evolving gaming portfolio. Cavemen & Dinosaurs, releasing on September 19, features thrilling elements such as free spins with random wilds and retrigger options, Instant Win and a gamble feature for added excitement. Dancing Dead, set to debut in October, promises an exhilarating gaming experience with a range of exciting features including Expanding Wilds, Pick Me Bonuses and a Gamble mode, providing players with even more ways to enjoy and win with this thrilling new slot inspired by the traditional Mexican feast Day of the Dead. To add an engaging entertainment at the Amusnet booth, visitors will have the unique chance to participate in a 360-degree video activation, dedicated to the upcoming Dancing Dead slot release and seize the opportunity to win premium prizes. As a tradition, Amusnet will elevate the event atmosphere by offering an exclusive cocktail menu, inspired by its most famous slots.
Amusnet will have the honour to be among the sponsors of the 10th edition of the SBC Awards 2023, which will take place on the final day of the SBC Summit Barcelona on Thursday, September 21 at the remarkable winery venue of Caves Codorniu in Barcelona. The leading international provider’s nomination in two categories, including Casino/Slots Developer of the Year, reaffirms Amusnet’s strong standing in the iGaming industry, underscoring its dedicated efforts in delivering cutting-edge casino technology appreciated by partners and players globally. The nomination for Employer of the Year serves as a testament to the company’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, motivated and engaged. Furthermore, as a Premium Sponsor of the event, Amusnet will be supporting the Football Tournament, the Sports Betting, Casino and iGaming Zone and the Official Senior Executive Party at Shoko.
Industry News
888 Appoints Sean Wilkins as CFO

William Hill and Mr Green owner 888 has announced the appointment of Sean Wilkins as its new chief financial officer, effective February 1, 2024.
Wilkins has 17 years of experience in CFO roles at both private and public companies, having most recently held the position of Group CFO of Superbet, an omni-channel betting and gaming business with operations primarily across Romania, Poland, Serbia and Belgium.
Prior to this, he held CFO roles at several consumer-facing businesses including Big Bus Tours, Domino’s Pizza, Tesco Malaysia, Tesco Telecom and O2 Asia.
Current CFO Yariv Dafna will step down from his role and the board on October 2 following an orderly handover of responsibilities to chief strategy officer Vaughan Lewis, who will also assume the role of interim CFO until Wilkins joins.
Executive chair Lord Mendelsohn said: “In addition to having an in-depth understanding of the betting and gaming industry, Sean brings a wealth of relevant experience gained in CFO roles at international businesses, where he has demonstrated a strong track record of value creation.”
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