The iGaming market experienced significant shifts during the week of August 17-23, 2026, with the CIS and Baltic nations not maintaining their previous week’s lead. Russia saw a drop of 7.8% following an impressive 134% increase the week before, while Lithuania fell by 9.1% after rising 50.2% previously. Tajikistan, Slovakia, and Latvia also noted declines after experiencing growth the prior week.
Much of the market momentum came from scheduled competitions. Switzerland topped the weekly growth chart with a remarkable 40.3% boost, driven by excitement around Super League Matchday 4. Colombia followed suit with a 27.9% increase, resuming Liga BetPlay activities after a temporary suspension due to the earthquake on August 10. Ukraine reported a 12.8% decline, with ongoing scrutiny from Cosmobet over market conditions.
### Top 5 Gainers of the Week
**Switzerland (+40.3%)**
Switzerland led this week’s growth, largely due to the Super League Matchday 4 held on August 22-23. The thrilling match where Young Boys triumphed over Vaduz 4-2 not only captured public interest but also elevated Young Boys atop the league table. The increasing domestic schedule heightened betting excitement significantly.
**Sierra Leone (+38.1%)**
In Sierra Leone, the return of the European football season enhanced betting activities throughout West Africa. The notable spike partly reflected a rebound from a lower figure in the preceding week, which is crucial in a betting landscape where physical shops hold substantial influence.
**Colombia (+27.9%)**
Colombia’s Liga BetPlay resumed games after a week of suspension, with major matches like Santa Fe vs América de Cali and Nacional vs Fortaleza being played on August 22-23. The resurgence of domestic football significantly fueled betting activity and boosted weekly figures.
**Senegal (+25.7%)**
The announcement of the Ligue 1 schedule for the 2026-27 season on August 22 stimulated interest in betting markets in Senegal, coinciding with the restart of European football, thus elevating local betting enthusiasm.
**Sweden (+24.7%)**
Sweden bounced back from an 11.4% drop in the previous week. The Allsvenskan Matchday 20, taking place on August 17-18, involved key matches featuring clubs like Malmö FF, AIK, and Hammarby, contributing to a resurgence.
### Top 5 Decliners of the Week
**Ukraine (-12.8%)**
Ukraine continued its downward trend, primarily due to increasing scrutiny from Cosmobet and reports about potential ownership ties to Russia. The ongoing war and associated gambling restrictions have compounded the regulatory pressures affecting market dynamics.
**Uzbekistan (-11%)**
After experiencing a surge when Olimpbet and Aurum Vale received the first betting licenses on July 31, Uzbekistan's market corrected. The recent decline reflects player adjustments to the introduction of licensed operators while many still prefer offshore betting options.
**Lithuania (-9.1%)**
Lithuania's market faced a 9.1% decline, contrasting a spectacular 50% increase the previous week. Despite reporting positive fundamentals, including a gross gaming revenue of EUR 153.6 million in the first half of 2026 (up 16.8% year-over-year), the weekly decline likely reflects a temporary correction rather than a weakening market.
**Tajikistan (-8.6%)**
After a previous rise of 37.8%, Tajikistan experienced a correction in its market performance.
**Russia (-7.8%)**
Following a substantial gain of 134% last week, Russia's market fell by 7.8%. This decrease represents a natural correction rather than a downturn in overall performance.
### Market Spotlight: Switzerland (+40.3%)
Switzerland marked the highest growth this week at +40.3%, coinciding with Super League Matchday 4. The schedule featuring multiple domestic matches on August 22-23 kept the spotlight on local clubs and invigorated betting interest. Young Boys topped the table, accumulating 10 points from four matches after their victory over Vaduz. The regulated nature of the Swiss sports betting market emphasizes the importance of domestic events for licensed operators, as access to offshore gambling is limited. The momentum is expected to continue leading into the next reporting period, especially with a crucial match between Young Boys and Basel set for August 29 in this early phase of the season.
The Blask Index, which tracks real-time iGaming player interest via AI-analyzed Google search data, continues to provide insights into market trends, measuring momentum through weekly percentage changes.
