The conclusion of the FIFA World Cup triggers a shift in the global iGaming market landscape. Following the tournament's end on June 19 and with domestic leagues in the off-season, many markets exhibited a decline in acquisition interest due to fewer enticing events. The week of July 20 to July 26 brought significant changes to iGaming markets worldwide, heavily influenced by the end of daily matches.
Most markets witnessed declines, particularly those heavily reliant on their national teams and betting activities.
**Top 5 Gainers of the Week**
1. **The Netherlands:** Experiencing a 23.5% uptick, the revival of club football spurred Dutch iGaming interest. With European leagues still on summer break, early continental qualification matches provided a rare source of demand.
2. **Angola:** Following a substantial drop of 23.4% the previous week, Angola rebounded with a 13.9% increase due to recent regulatory developments. The news increased searches around licensing, compliance, and future market access.
3. **Venezuela:** Gaining 9.2%, Venezuela's growth came from the revival of club football, specially highlighted by matches relocated after June's earthquakes.
4. **Switzerland:** With a 9% increase, Switzerland's growth was attributed to the lottery's activity, demonstrating that even in quiet periods, lotteries can stimulate the iGaming sector.
5. **Tunisia:** The country saw an 8.6% rise, driven by national sporting activities.
**Top 5 Decliners of the Week**
1. **Singapore:** Experiencing the sharpest decline at 58.3%, Singapore faced a significant drop as World Cup demand waned alongside intensified enforcement efforts from the police. Following the World Cup final on July 19, authorities announced additional enforcement measures from May 1 to July 20, leading to a notable contraction in activity.
2. **Panama:** The 41.5% decrease in Panama was linked to the end of World Cup momentum, marking a typical post-event correction with intentions returning to normal levels.
3. **Slovenia:** Similarly, Slovenia's 39.8% decline mirrored the post-World Cup experience, reflecting a decline in event-related demand rather than regulatory impacts.
4. **Peru:** Falling by 38.9%, Peru's drop was due to a combination of diminishing tournament demand and strict market restrictions.
5. **Mali:** With a 36.8% decrease, Mali's decline was affected by the World Cup aftermath and supply-side disruptions, particularly after regulators suspended agreements with BET 223, Premier Bet, and 1xBet on July 22 over tax disputes.
**Market Spotlight: Singapore**
The situation in Singapore highlights a severe reduction in activity, exacerbated by a lack of World Cup-related demand and increased regulatory pressures on illegal gambling operations. This dramatic shift emphasizes how quickly acquisition interest can decline following a major sporting event coupled with intensified enforcement.
The Blask Index monitors real-time iGaming player interest through AI-analyzed Google search data, updated hourly to filter out low-intent signals like scams and complaints. Weekly metrics reflect shifting momentum in player attention, with positive percentages indicating growing interest and negative ones showing declines.
