From July 6 to July 12, regulatory changes took the spotlight in the global iGaming market, overshadowing any activities related to the World Cup.
As the tournament neared its conclusion, the most significant market shifts stemmed primarily from legal evaluations, enforcement actions, and new gambling legislation rather than World Cup events. This phase saw a notable downturn in several markets as post-event adjustments occurred; countries such as Bolivia, Japan, and Paraguay faced declines after earlier spikes associated with the tournament. Mali experienced the steepest drop this week, a decline not linked to any specific local event, while Costa Rica continued its downtrend for unclear reasons.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
**South Korea (+90.8%)**
Leading the charge this week, South Korea saw a remarkable increase due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding prediction markets. On July 10, the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Committee announced plans to assess the legal standing of Polymarket to determine its compliance with the National Gambling Control Commission Act.
**Turkey (+49.0%)**
Turkey made its second consecutive appearance among the top gainers, reacting positively with a 49% increase, following a 28.4% rise the previous week. This surge suggests that enforcement measures are driving an uptick in gambling-related searches as market players seek clarity on regulatory changes.
**Malaysia (+24.5%)**
With growth for the second week, Malaysia reported a 24.5% rise, continuing from last week’s 24.8% increase. This uplift is mainly attributed to Operation Op Soga XI, a nationwide campaign targeting illegal betting around the World Cup.
**Bangladesh (+20.9%)**
Bangladesh joined the leading gainers as the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 took effect on July 1. Unlike typical increases tied to sporting events, this growth is driven by regulatory changes and rising interest in understanding the evolving market landscape.
**Ukraine (+20.4%)**
In Ukraine, the positive shift can be linked to advancements in regulatory matters, independent of World Cup participation.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
**Mali (-55.2%)**
Mali faced the most significant decline of the week, with no clear triggers identified during the reporting period. This downturn appears to be part of an ongoing cycle and is not tied to specific events.
**Bolivia (-42.9%)**
Bolivia's decline followed a previous week where it saw a rise of 51.7%, influenced primarily by the end of the World Cup cycle. A notable raid by Bolivia’s AJ regulatory authority in Cochabamba on July 6, which led to the seizure of five illegal gambling machines, contributed to this shift, but it does not fully account for the overall market movement.
**Japan (-29.9%)**
Japan's decrease followed last week’s impressive 47.5% increase post-its Round of 32 game against Brazil. With Japan’s exit from the World Cup and no upcoming matches to spark interest, there was no rationale for continued betting enthusiasm.
**Paraguay (-27.6%)**
Paraguay experienced a similar trend after its World Cup gains. Interest surged after the country’s victory over Germany in the Round of 16, but dwindled following its subsequent loss to France on July 4.
**Costa Rica (-25.5%)**
Costa Rica showed a decline even without a specific local triggering event. The downturn seems to result from natural market corrections following prior World Cup-related interest.
**Market Spotlight: South Korea (+90.8%)**
South Korea recorded the week’s largest increase, driven by legislative uncertainty and stricter enforcement of gambling regulations. A key event occurred on July 10 when authorities began evaluating Polymarket to see if it is subject to South Korean gambling laws. In tandem, South Korea is conducting a broader crackdown on illicit betting schemes linked to the World Cup, including website blocking and public reporting efforts.
The Blask Index tracks real-time interest in iGaming powered by AI-analyzed Google search data, offering hourly updates while filtering out low-intent noise such as scams and complaints. Weekly percentage (WoW%) measures indicate momentum, with positive numbers showing rising interest and negative figures reflecting declines.
