From July 6 to July 12, regulatory developments significantly influenced global iGaming demand, overshadowing activities related to the ongoing World Cup. As the tournament neared its conclusion, the most notable market changes stemmed from legal evaluations, enforcement efforts, and new gambling legislation rather than World Cup events.
The downturn in demand was primarily attributed to event-induced hangovers and mean-reversion tendencies. Countries such as Bolivia, Japan, and Paraguay saw declines from their previous spikes connected to the World Cup. Mali experienced the most significant drop of the week, without a clear local trigger, while Costa Rica continued its downward trend for reasons that remain unclear.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
– **South Korea (+90.8%)**: South Korea recorded the highest weekly increase in iGaming interest, driven by ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding prediction markets. On July 10, the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Committee announced an investigation into the legal status of Polymarket, which will determine if it falls under the National Gambling Control Commission Act.
– **Turkey (+49.0%)**: Following a previous gain of 28.4%, Turkey made its second consecutive appearance among the top gainers. The recent market response suggests that enforcement actions may have sparked greater gambling-related search activity as players seek updated regulatory information.
– **Malaysia (+24.5%)**: Malaysia achieved growth for the second week in a row after a +24.8% rise the previous week. Key to this increase was Operation Op Soga XI, a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting illegal betting during the World Cup.
– **Bangladesh (+20.9%)**: Bangladesh entered the list of top gainers following the implementation of the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026, on July 1. This growth contrasts typical sports-driven spikes and is primarily linked to increased demand for information about the market changes.
– **Ukraine (+20.4%)**: Ukraine’s growth was spurred by advancements in the regulatory environment rather than any connection to World Cup participation.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
– **Mali (-55.2%)**: Mali saw the largest decline of the week, with no direct triggers evident during the reporting period. This drop appears to be a continuation of prior trends and is not associated with a specific event.
– **Bolivia (-42.9%)**: Following a prior week’s increase of +51.7%, Bolivia experienced a reversal after the World Cup demand cycle ended. An authority raid in Cochabamba on July 6 that seized five illegal machines contributed to the decline, but it does not fully explain the national movement.
– **Japan (-29.9%)**: After last week's +47.5% increase influenced by a key match against Brazil, Japan's interest has dropped significantly. With Japan's exit from the World Cup and no upcoming matches to generate excitement, the prior spike lacks justification.
– **Paraguay (-27.6%)**: Similarly, Paraguay faced a decline after enjoying gains related to the World Cup. Interest surged following a victory over Germany, but the team’s elimination by France on July 4 led to diminished betting activity.
– **Costa Rica (-25.5%)**: Costa Rica experienced a drop despite the lack of any identifiable triggering event, suggesting this decline is a natural result of preceding World Cup-related activity without major developments during the reporting period.
**Market Spotlight: South Korea (+90.8%)**
South Korea's substantial rise aligns with ongoing legislative ambiguities and increased enforcement efforts. The evaluation of Polymarket initiated on July 10 is set to determine its compliance with gambling regulations amid a crackdown on illegal betting activities in relation to the World Cup, which includes measures such as website blocking and public reporting.
