The analytical platform Blask has shared its latest weekly report on the WoW dynamics of iGaming markets, based on the Blask Index. Here are the key insights highlighted by iGN:
Highest Growth:
- 30.4% — Kazakhstan: In early May, the Ministry of Finance mandated telecom operators to block player deposits to offshore online casinos via mobile accounts. On May 17, restrictions for foreign citizens accessing land-based casinos, gaming halls, and betting points came into effect. This led to increased search activity for legal alternatives throughout the week.
- 17.3% — Switzerland: The IIHF World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg featured NHL players. The host team won all six matches during the reporting period, including a crushing 9-0 victory over Austria.
- 17.1% — Uzbekistan: On May 22, coach Fabio Cannavaro presented the first-ever national team lineup for the 2026 World Cup at the Milliy Stadium in Tashkent. This boosted interest in betting on group K matches against Portugal, Colombia, and the DRC. Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian country to qualify for the World Cup.
- 14.2% — El Salvador: The finals of the national football league Primera División Clausura and the President's Cup on Saturday, May 23, concentrated search activity and partially compensated for a 24.2% decline the previous week.
- 6.2% — Moldova: The final of the Moldovan Cup on May 23 secured a spot in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League 2026-27 and was the only major event of the reporting week. The main football league in Moldova concluded on May 17.
Greatest Decline:
- 27% — Austria: The national ice hockey team lost three consecutive matches at the IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. Blask analysts view this trend as a correction following an earlier spike in interest.
- 25.2% — Turkey: A correction followed a 18.6% decline the previous week amid the Paymix-3 investigation, which revealed over 3 million iGaming players in the country. Media attention on the topic has waned.
- 23.8% — Cambodia: Authorities continue to crack down on land-based casinos linked to fraudulent schemes, calling for enhanced law enforcement amid reputational damage from cybercrime.
- 21.2% — Colombia: No identified reason for the decline.
- 20.2% — Senegal: No identified reason for the decline; the market is in a transitional phase of regulatory framework formation.
According to Blask analysts, the growth in Kazakhstan reflects a model of displacing the illegal segment through law enforcement rather than organic demand growth. For offshore operators, maintaining visibility in the Kazakh market is becoming increasingly costly. The future dynamics of the market depend on the Ministry of Finance's next steps regarding licensing regulation. The IIHF World Championship playoffs in Switzerland will support activity in the host country. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan may gain additional growth momentum with the upcoming 2026 World Cup in football. Pressure on the iGaming market in Cambodia is likely to continue reducing local demand amid ongoing crackdowns.