Beyond borders: unlocking iGaming growth through local events
As India's IPL drives the Blask Index from 437,000 to 3M points, and Brazil's football matches generate unprecedented 10M-point peaks, a new playbook for iGaming success emerges. Through exclusive market data and operator insights, Blask reveals how to transform local events into massive revenue opportunities, and why understanding regional dynamics has become the new competitive edge in iGaming.
The ripple effect of local events on the global iGaming industry
How local events fuel betting frenzies in iGaming
Local events are the heartbeat of global iGaming trends, driving surges in player engagement and reshaping market dynamics.
From cricket tournaments in India to football derbies in Brazil, the cultural and emotional resonance of these events transforms them into powerful engines for the iGaming sector.
Take India’s Indian Premier League (IPL), for instance. Year after year, matches between top teams like the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians not only captivate millions of fans but also trigger exponential growth in betting activity, as tracked by the Blask Index.
In 2024, the IPL’s mid-season games drove the Blask Index to an all-time high of 3 million points, reflecting the country’s deep-rooted cricket obsession.
Interestingly, these spikes often occur during mid-tournament matches, not during the much-hyped opening or closing games, underlining how team rivalries and fan loyalties fuel betting.
Brazil paints a similar yet diverse picture.
Here, football reigns supreme, with activity peaking during global spectacles like the World Cup and regional favorites such as the Copa América.
The 2024 Copa América final, for example, saw the Blask Index skyrocket to 10 million as Brazilians turned their attention to their national team. Meanwhile, local derbies like Flamengo vs. Fluminense in the Campeonato Brasileiro draw millions of bettors, demonstrating how regional rivalries can rival even the largest international events in betting appeal.
Why local trends reshape global iGaming strategies
Local events don’t just create isolated pockets of activity; they ripple outward, influencing global markets.
The data from countries like Peru reveals how these surges extend beyond national borders. For instance, during the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, the Blask Index in Peru hit 2.8 million, a remarkable figure considering neither team represented the host country. This demonstrates the universal appeal of high-stakes global events.
Moreover, the insights from the Blask Index highlight the critical role of cultural and sporting preferences in shaping market strategies.
In India, cricket-centric campaigns dominate, with operators leveraging IPL-driven spikes to optimize offerings.In contrast, Brazilian operators diversify their focus across multiple tournaments, ensuring year-round engagement.
For iGaming brands, understanding these regional trends is no longer optional; it’s a competitive necessity. By analyzing data patterns, such as those provided by Blask, operators can tailor promotions and betting options to align with local events, fostering deeper player engagement and driving revenue growth.
When local events shake the iGaming world
The power of sporting events in betting booms
Sports have long been a cornerstone of iGaming, and localized events can cause dramatic surges in player activity.
India’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is a prime example.
The cricket tournament doesn’t just unite fans; it electrifies the iGaming market.
Over five years, the IPL’s mid-season matches saw Blask Index numbers rise from 437,000 to a staggering 3 million by 2024. The excitement isn’t driven by opening or final matches but by high-stakes clashes between top teams. This sustained growth underscores how sports events tied to local passions can reliably drive iGaming spikes.
In Brazil, football dominates.
The 2022 World Cup group stage, featuring Brazil vs. Serbia, pushed the Blask Index to an unprecedented 10 million. This wasn’t a one-off.
From Campeonato Brasileiro derbies to Copa América finals, football consistently fuels betting frenzies, with major matches drawing millions of bettors. These events reveal the deep emotional and cultural connections between sports and gaming.
Seasonal spikes from cultural festivals
Cultural festivals bring more than celebration—they bring opportunities for iGaming operators. During India’s Diwali festival, for instance, digital platforms see increased activity as families gather and casual games turn into real-money betting sessions. In Latin America, Carnaval creates a similar surge.Online casino activity spikes as players seek entertainment during extended holiday periods, with operators leveraging themed games and bonuses to attract users.
These festivals aren’t merely seasonal opportunities—they shape annual marketing strategies.
Political turbulence and economic shifts in iGaming
While cultural and sporting events ignite growth, political instability can create volatility.In Bangladesh, the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July 2024 caused dramatic shifts in the iGaming landscape, despite the country’s prohibition on gambling. Blask Index, which tracks market activity, dropped sharply from 757,000 to 70,000 during protests and curfews.
The impact extended to market share. Brands like Baji and Crickex initially gained traction, but volatile conditions allowed 1xBet to capture an unprecedented 54% of the market. As stability returned, the market rebalanced, but new players emerged, reshaping the competitive landscape.
Economic changes can also alter player behavior. Currency fluctuations or shifts in disposable income often drive players to seek platforms offering better bonuses or lower deposits.In such times, operators who adapt to economic realities—whether through tailored offers or flexible payment options—stand out.
Turning local events Into iGaming success stories
Captivating new audiences with localized campaigns
Localized marketing campaigns can turn ordinary events into extraordinary opportunities for iGaming companies.
Tailoring promotions to reflect the significance of an event, whether it’s India’s IPL or Brazil’s Carnaval, helps operators connect with players on a deeper, cultural level.
For example, during the IPL, offering cricket-themed bonuses or limited-time betting features tied to high-profile matches can dramatically increase engagement.
Thus, during the IPL, Stake capitalized on the tournament’s massive popularity by introducing a groundbreaking campaign: bettors would be paid out as winners if their chosen team hit a six within the first four overs.
This promotion, launched in conjunction with Stake enabling Indian rupee deposits for the first time, resonated deeply with cricket enthusiasts.
As a result, the platform saw its Blask Index skyrocket from 2.7M in March 2024 to an all-time peak of 25M by May 2024.
Localized campaigns aren’t just about language translation—they’re about cultural resonance.
Highlighting regional heroes, leveraging local slang, and designing promotions that feel native can make campaigns far more effective than generic, global messaging.
Tapping into the power of local influencers and organizers
Influencers and event organizers hold the keys to hyper-local audiences. By collaborating with regional sports commentators, gaming streamers, or even festival organizers, iGaming companies can gain instant credibility and visibility.
For example, during the FIFA U-20 World Cup, an operator in Brazil could partner with popular football influencers to create buzz around key matches.
Event-themed games and experiences to drive engagement
Adapting game offerings to align with local events is a powerful way to stay relevant. During Diwali, for instance, creating themed casino games with vibrant cultural motifs or offering festive bonuses can attract casual players into the ecosystem.Similarly, during Brazil’s World Cup frenzy, betting platforms can introduce exclusive wagers on Brazil’s performance or offer match-day perks to reward engaged users.
These strategies go beyond driving short-term activity spikes—they foster long-term player loyalty by showcasing an operator’s deep understanding and celebration of local culture.
Players are more likely to return to platforms that resonate with their interests and traditions.
To support these efforts, Blask Games, a new feature within the Blask ecosystem, provides operators with unparalleled insights into player preferences. By tracking the most popular games in a country on a monthly basis and analyzing shifts in interest over time, operators can fine-tune their offerings to align with current trends.
Key takeaways: leveraging local events with Blask
Local events, from India’s IPL to Brazil’s World Cup fervor, are not just regional phenomena but global drivers of iGaming activity. Operators can capitalize on these spikes by aligning their strategies with culturally significant moments and creating targeted campaigns and promotions that resonate with players.
- Blask Index: decoding market dynamics in real-time
Blask Index serves as a vital tool for operators to monitor market activity during major events. By identifying activity spikes—such as a 3 million-point surge during IPL 2024 or a 10 million-point high during Brazil’s Copa América—operators can pinpoint the moments that matter and adjust their offerings accordingly. - Localized insights with Blask Games
The newly introduced Blask Games feature empowers operators to track the most popular games in specific markets on a monthly basis. By analyzing shifts in player preferences, operators can adapt their game libraries to align with trends, such as offering cricket-themed games during IPL or lottery-style games during Diwali. - Turning regional trends into global strategies
Blask’s comprehensive analytics help operators understand the ripple effects of local events on global markets. For instance, during the 2022 World Cup final, even non-participating countries like Peru saw significant betting activity, emphasizing the universal appeal of marquee events. This insight allows operators to craft strategies that transcend borders. - Navigating political and economic volatility
Political shifts, as seen in Bangladesh during the 2024 unrest, can disrupt markets. Blask’s real-time data tools help operators respond quickly, track market recovery, and identify emerging opportunities.By leveraging metrics like the Blask Index and Relative Market Share, operators can stay agile and maintain their competitive edge. - Building long-term loyalty through cultural resonance
Beyond immediate spikes, localized campaigns, and event-themed games foster player loyalty by showcasing operators’ commitment to cultural understanding. Whether it’s Stake’s IPL-specific promotions or Diwali-themed bonuses, these tailored approaches resonate deeply with players, encouraging sustained engagement. - Collaborating with local influencers for hyper-localized impact
Partnering with regional influencers and event organizers amplifies visibility and credibility. Blask Customer Profile can identify high-impact opportunities, enabling operators to build authentic connections with local audiences.
Final thought
Blask’s suite of tools—spanning real-time market analytics, game trend tracking, and player behavior insights—enables iGaming operators to turn every local event into a strategic win. By aligning with regional passions and leveraging data-driven strategies, operators can thrive in a competitive, ever-evolving global market.