The conclusion of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought a wave of excitement to the field, but it also prompted notable movements in the global market, driven primarily by regulatory changes rather than gameplay results. Over the past week, Europe emerged as a pivotal area for these shifts, with government actions and restructuring in the gaming sector leading to significant market changes.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
**Hungary (+37.5%)**
Hungary experienced the largest growth of the week, attributed to increasing regulatory scrutiny in its casino industry. A pivotal moment came on June 18, when Transport Minister Vítezy Dávid announced the government would review all casino concessions issued by the previous administration, some of which are set to last until 2061.
**Latvia (+23.9%)**
Latvia's increase was largely fueled by two major structural transformations. The FDJ Group acquired Entain's Baltic operations (EnLabs) for €960 million, dramatically reshaping the competitive landscape. Additionally, 7bet, a Lithuanian sports operator, launched its local operations and introduced a new platform.
**Uzbekistan (+18.4%)**
Despite lacking licensed domestic online sports betting operators, Uzbekistan capitalized on World Cup participation. Local bettors placed considerable wagers on matches involving Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which in turn spurred increased search queries for offshore sportsbooks.
**US-Illinois (+17.3%)**
After previously appearing among the week’s losers, Illinois rebounded as World Cup betting activity continued to flourish.
**Costa Rica (+16.9%)**
Costa Rica recorded another week of growth, driven mainly by ongoing discussions surrounding Legislative File 25.600, which aims to create the country's first dedicated gambling licensing authority. This legislation seeks to address the issues surrounding its large unregulated gaming market.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
**Algeria (-24.3%)**
Algeria saw a decline in betting activity of 24.3%, primarily due to a phenomenon described as “event cooldown.” Following the national team’s win against Jordan and draw with Austria, betting interest has receded significantly.
**Malaysia (-22.6%)**
In Malaysia, a 22.6% drop in interest has been noted, driven by stricter enforcement from law enforcement. The Royal Malaysia Police have launched extensive nationwide operations under Op Soga XI.
**France (-20.2%)**
France experienced a 20.2% decrease in betting activity, despite the national team's successes in the group stage. With large point spreads in all three matches, uncertainty was limited, resulting in reduced betting engagement.
**Bolivia (-20.1%)**
Bolivia recorded a 20.1% drop in betting activities. While the World Cup maintained popularity among bettors due to international betting opportunities, the lack of a national team presence has contributed to a natural decline following last week's spike of 56.6%.
**Dominican Republic (-19.9%)**
On June 24, the Dominican Senate approved the first reading of an extensive gambling reform bill, which will introduce new licensing, product advertising, and compliance requirements to be discussed at the end of the session. This legislation is expected to oversee over 71,000 lottery and betting establishments, establishing stricter identification and advertising restrictions. The uncertainty regarding compliance is anticipated to decrease short-term demand for services from these entities.
**Market Spotlight: Hungary (+37.5%)**
Hungary's substantial gain can be linked to the increasing focus on gambling laws, becoming a significant political issue. The inquiry initiated by the government on June 18 into casino concessions from the prior administration has garnered media attention, clarifying the substantial fiscal implications, particularly concerning the tax obligations of the nation’s largest concession holder.
