During the week of August 17 to 23, 2026, the iGaming market experienced shifts from previous trends as countries like Russia and Lithuania saw notable declines in their growth. Russia's activity dropped by 7.8% following a remarkable rise of 134%, while Lithuania's numbers fell by 9.1% after a 50.2% increase the week before. Other nations, including Tajikistan, Slovakia, and Latvia, also faced downward movements after enjoying previous gains.
Competition was the primary driver of growth in the region. Switzerland emerged as a frontrunner with a 40.3% increase, largely due to Super League Matchday 4, while Colombia recorded a 27.9% rise as Liga BetPlay resumed after a suspension caused by an earthquake on August 10. Ukraine saw a contraction of 12.8%, as the ongoing situation remained closely monitored by Cosmobet.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
– **Switzerland (+40.3%)**: The country's growth stemmed from Super League Matchday 4 held on August 22-23. The competitive match saw Young Boys triumph over Vaduz with a score of 4-2, capturing significant public attention and enhancing betting activity, boosting interest in future matches that will continue through the season.
– **Sierra Leone (+38.1%)**: The resumption of the European football season spurred a rush of betting throughout West Africa, reflecting a rebound from a previous weak performance, particularly significant in a country where betting shops play a crucial role.
– **Colombia (+27.9%)**: With Liga BetPlay 2026-II back in action following a week-long halt due to earthquake effects, matches like Santa Fe vs América de Cali generated major betting activity, leading to positive weekly outcomes.
– **Senegal (+25.7%)**: The announcement of Ligue 1’s schedule for the 2026-27 season coincided with the revival of European football, significantly increasing betting interests in Senegal.
– **Sweden (+24.7%)**: Recovering from a previous drop of 11.4%, Sweden’s betting increased with competitive play resuming in Allsvenskan during the August 17-18 matches.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
– **Ukraine (-12.8%)**: Ukraine's drop was influenced by heightened scrutiny on Cosmobet amid reports connecting it to Russian ownership structures. Ongoing war-related gambling restrictions compounded the market’s challenges.
– **Uzbekistan (-11%)**: Following a recent surge linked to new betting licenses issued on July 31, Uzbekistan faced a correction as the market adjusted to the presence of licensed operators while players still favored offshore options.
– **Lithuania (-9.1%)**: Despite a reported gross gaming revenue increase of 16.8% to EUR 153.6 million in the initial half of 2026, Lithuania's weekly decline of 9.1% appears to reflect momentum correction, lacking signs of market weakening.
– **Tajikistan (-8.6%)**: Following a prior surge of 37.8%, Tajikistan corrected downward.
– **Russia (-7.8%)**: Russia's decline also signals a mean-reversion following a significant previous week.
**Market Spotlight: Switzerland (+40.3%)**
Switzerland notably led the market with a 40.3% growth, coinciding with a tightly packed schedule of domestic games. The Young Boys' victory not only elevated their standing in the league but also heightened public interest in betting as the season progressed. With the regulated market emphasizing domestic sports significantly and limiting offshore gambling to DNS blocking, the interest in betting is expected to sustain into the following reporting period, especially with the anticipated Young Boys vs. Basel match scheduled for August 29.
