Blask released its weekly iGaming market digest, tracking regional interest shifts through the Blask Index. South Korea recorded the highest weekly growth at 90.8%, while Japan and Paraguay showed declines following World Cup tournament outcomes.
Regional Market Movements
The South Korean market surge coincides with ongoing regulatory discussions regarding prediction platforms such as Polymarket. Authorities are currently determining whether forecast markets fall under gambling legislation. Concurrently, FIFA World Cup activity has prompted enforcement actions against unlicensed iGaming operators, including website restrictions and incentive programs for public reports. Turkey followed with a 49% index increase after Istanbul cyber police and the Financial Crimes Investigation Council detained 68 individuals on July 10. The operation targeted unauthorized sports betting operations and associated financial transactions. Bangladesh registered a 20.9% rise as the Gambling Prevention Act 2026 took effect on July 1. The legislation replaces the 1867 framework and explicitly incorporates digital gaming within its regulatory scope. Specific compliance requirements and penalty structures for online operators remain under review.Japan experienced a 29.9% index decrease, marking a standard correction after the 47.5% spike recorded during the previous period. That earlier increase corresponded with the national team’s elimination from the tournament on June 29 following a match against Brazil. Paraguay recorded a 27.6% decline after its 20.9% weekly gain.
The prior rise aligned with the team’s victory over Germany and advancement to the round of 16, a tournament stage not reached since 2022. The subsequent index drop followed a 0-1 defeat to France on July 4.
The 1win World Cup promotion maintains a $100,000 prize fund for the tournament period. The Blask Index continues to track regional engagement patterns across international gaming markets. Tournament cycles and legislative updates remain primary drivers of weekly metric fluctuations.