The recent performance of the iGaming sector was notably influenced by regulatory actions. Chile recorded an impressive increase of 157.1% due to a directive from its regulatory body mandating six internet service providers to block 42 websites offering unauthorized betting and casino services. This action marked a significant enforcement move during the reporting period and contributed to the largest growth seen this week.
Meanwhile, Paraguay and Peru have also benefited from their respective football championship schedules. India's notable gain was linked to a high-profile investigation into money laundering activities. In Canada, regulators took steps concerning the prediction market in British Columbia.
The decline in regulatory measures across several regions heavily impacted the sector. Cyprus, Russia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland have all instituted or advanced regulations that restrict access to gambling services, payments, advertisements, and affiliates.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
**Chile (+157.1%)**
Chile experienced the most significant surge after the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos provided a list of 42 unapproved online gambling and casino URLs to the Subsecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel). On September 1, Subtel instructed six internet service providers to impose DNS blocks within two days and to supply evidence of compliance to the Santiago Court of Appeals. Notably included in the blocked list are mirror domains of major platforms like Betano, Coolbet, Betsson, Stake, and bet365. This enforcement aligns with a Supreme Court ruling from September 2025, which deemed illegal online gambling operations lacking proper legal authorization.
**Paraguay (+124.4%)**
Football remains the prominent driver in Paraguay, with the country hosting the ninth round of the Torneo Clausura on September 5-6. In a key match, Olimpia triumphed over Sportivo Trinidense 2-1, thanks to a winning goal from Hugo Sandoval in the 80th minute, elevating Olimpia to third place with 16 points. The APF made fixtures for rounds 10 and 11 available during this period, extending the focus on local football events.
**India (+71.6%)**
India is under close observation by the Enforcement Directorate following the Parimatch investigation. A search operation on September 2 at 17 locations across five states resulted in the seizure of Rs 61 lakh in cash and around Rs 37 crore in frozen bank accounts.
**British Columbia (+62.3%)**
Regulatory scrutiny has intensified in British Columbia, particularly concerning prediction markets. The Independent Gambling Control Office announced on August 28 that unlicensed platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket offering contracts related to entertainment and sports are engaged in illegal gambling outside of the PlayNow monopoly.
**Peru (+49.9%)**
Peru's Liga 1 Torneo Clausura continues its tightly packed domestic football schedule. Matchday 8 unfolded between September 4-6, highlighted by Sporting Cristal's 5-0 victory over Los Chankas and Deportivo Garcilaso's 4-2 win against Atlético Grau on September 6.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
**Cyprus (-69.7%)**
Cyprus saw a substantial decline following recommendations from the House Audit Committee to ban the use of welfare payments from Minimum Guaranteed Income recipients for gambling purposes. These recommendations include limitations on benefit cards and Casino membership reviews before entry.
**Russia (-66.9%)**
Russia’s national voluntary gambling self-exclusion register took effect on September 1. Citizens can now exclude themselves from legal betting, casinos, and online bookmakers for a minimum duration of 12 months via the Gosuslugi platform.
**Bulgaria (-53.1%)**
New regulations were implemented in Bulgaria on September 1, enforcing mandatory licensing for gambling affiliates. Affiliates must now pay an annual fee of €6,000, with a withholding tax of 10% on their commissions. Those operating without a license must comply immediately with orders from the National Revenue Agency, risking blocking within 24 hours after notification.
**Italy (-50.7%)**
Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) imposed a ban on a campaign by Lega Serie A titled "True Data" concerning Matchday 2. ADM stated there is a risk consumers might interpret the messages as misleading, rendering the campaign illegal due to its indirect promotion of gambling. The restrictions were enacted on August 31, marking the beginning of the analyzed period.
**Poland (-50.2%)**
As of September 1, Poland has enhanced its payment control system with BLIK introducing functions to block payments to websites listed as illegal gambling sites by the Ministry of Finance.
Chile's remarkable 157.1% increase this week stands out as the most significant movement following Subtel's enforcement of DNS blocks on the 42 URLs identified by the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos. This development represents the first widespread blocking under the legal framework established post the Supreme Court's decision and includes both foreign operators and local websites. The significance of this action is underscored by Congress's ongoing discussions on Bill 14.838-03, which aims to create a formal licensing system for online gaming. Until the bill is enacted, authorities will continue to rely on existing laws and court decisions to combat illegal operators.
