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:
- 49.3% β Colombia: The Constitutional Court mandated the tax authority DIAN to return taxes on an annulled emergency decree, allowing operators to revert to the standard 15% GGR rate. Additionally, on April 25, three regional lotteries conducted draws with a combined jackpot exceeding $10 million. The national lottery Baloto did not identify a winner in its latest draw, with the prize pool reaching $13.5 million, a record for the year.
- 25% β Netherlands: On April 21, the regulator KSA published its annual report for 2025. The share of the legal segment in GGR fell from 51% to 49%, with the unlicensed segment surpassing legal operators for the first time since legalization in 2021. This publication received extensive coverage in national media. KSA also signaled an expansion of oversight actions on payment providers and the B2B segment.
- 15.3% β USA, Illinois: The first round of the NBA playoffs saw the second, third, and fourth games during this period, with the state being one of the largest regulated sports betting markets in the USA.
- 15.3% β South Korea: The national lottery Lotto 1221 draw on April 25 identified 16 first-prize winners, each receiving $1.3 million. Recovery followed a 16.6% decline the previous week, aided by the Korea Sports Leisure program and a low base from the prior week.
- 14.6% β USA, Texas: The first round of the NBA playoffs featured the Houston Rockets against the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference. The state lacks licensed online sports betting, leading demand to unlicensed operators.
Largest Declines:
- 21% β Thailand: This marks the second consecutive week of decline amid two waves of law enforcement actions. On April 25, police conducted raids at two illegal gambling establishments in Bangkok, detaining 104 individuals. A raid in Pattaya on April 20 uncovered 68 Indian nationals operating an online gambling center. These actions continue to exert pressure following the arrest of a key figure on April 9 and the freezing of $634 million by the AMLO.
- 20.8% β Somalia: A technical correction followed a 16.9% decline the previous week. Gambling is completely banned in the country, with demand shifting to offshore operators.
- 18.2% β Czech Republic: A correction followed a 17.8% decline the previous week amid the Champions League quarter-finals on April 14-15, with no substitute events during the reporting period. The first matches of the semi-finals are scheduled for April 28-29.
- 17.7% β Nepal: This marks the fourth consecutive week of decline, with the telecom regulator NTA's blocking regime as of April 15 covering over 10,000 sites and apps. One operator, Nepal Telecom, has already blocked over 21,000 URLs. The expansion implements a directive from the Cabinet dated March 27 for a 24-hour shutdown of betting infrastructure.
- 16.5% β Spain: A correction followed an 11.8% decline the previous week amid the final of the Copa del Rey on April 18 between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, with no substitute events in the reporting period. The first matches of the Champions League semi-finals are set for April 28-29.
According to Blask analysts, Colombia exhibited the highest growth of the week due to two independent catalysts. The Constitutional Court's decision alleviates structural pressure at least until the presidential elections on May 31, while the lottery draws on April 25 became a one-time event. The third round of the Copa Libertadores from April 28-30 will determine whether Colombia can maintain its growth, especially as Colombian clubs have not won in the previous two rounds. The Champions League semi-finals on April 28-29 (PSG vs Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal at Metropolitano) are expected to support iGaming activity in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. In Thailand, new asset freezes by AMLO may prolong the index's decline into May.