Can one or several sporting events consistently trigger a surge in betting activity among players across an entire country year after year?
A new study by the Blask team analysed long-term statistics in India, Brazil, and Peru to determine if there are “magnets” that attract bettors’ attention, or if their preferences change each season regardless of circumstances.
Key to past patterns: analysis of three markets
The research addressed several crucial questions about events driving player activity spikes and their recurring nature. Focusing on three countries — India, Brazil, and Peru — the team sought to identify patterns specific to each market.
The study utilised Blask Index as its foundation — a metric that evaluates player interest and market dynamics in the iGaming industry while indicating the overall market condition of a specific country.
The methodology included:
- • Manual identification of peak user activity values on Blask Index curve annually since 2019
- • Correlation of this data with specific sporting events
- • Analysis of relationships between these factors
- • Concluding (some unexpected!) — detailed at the end of the material
To precisely determine which days of the year experienced activity surges, the team employed Blask’s brand new daily data granulation feature, covering periods from 2017 and earlier.
This enhancement provides users with the ability to examine historical data in detail through key metrics — Blask Index and Relative Market Share — with daily intervals rather than monthly ones as before.
This is how this new feature looks like:
India: IPL captivates everyone
2019
March 31 marked a significant milestone with 437,000 Blask Index points as Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings battled Rajasthan Royals.
The surge wasn’t driven by ceremonial matches but rather by the concurrent scheduling of four prominent teams, demonstrating the pure drawing power of the competing franchises.
2020
The pandemic hit sports but not betting. On September 20, Blask Index soared to 977,000 right after the IPL 2020 season started, when Delhi Capitals faced Kings XI Punjab.
Even under restrictions, with most sporting events suspended, IPL remained players’ primary interest focus. This match was second in the tournament schedule after the new season’s opening.
2021
The IPL’s allure was unmistakable on April 18, as two major matches — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals vs. Kings XI Punjab — drove the Blask Index to an extraordinary 1.8m.
These matches were situated mid-table in the tournament, but the interest was clearly more about the teams than the match status itself.
2022
On March 27, the Blask Index surged to 1.7m, driven by the beginning of IPL 2022.
Matches between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Kings XI Punjab, captivated viewers.
The growing interest in the tournament showed that every new season of the IPL ignites a spike in betting activity. Once again, these were not opening matches, but mid-table encounters, underlining the increased focus on the teams, rather than the event itself.
2023
March 31 saw IPL 2023 set a new record, with the Blask Index reaching 2.1m at the start of the season during the opening matches — Chennai Super Kings vs. Gujarat Titans.
Although the season had just begun, the country was already buzzing with excitement and passion for the tournament.
2024
On April 28, IPL reached yet another milestone, with the Blask Index climbing to 3m during matches between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore.
India lives and breathes IPL, with each match adding to the fervor.
Once again, these were mid-table matchups, emphasising the growing fan interest in the teams rather than the event’s status. The surge likely came from the unique scheduling of four teams playing on the same day, contributing to a bigger audience.
Key takeaways
Indian bettors are cricket fanatics. The IPL has seen a steadily growing audience year after year, with the Blask Index surging exponentially — from 437,000 to 3m, more than a sixfold increase in just five years. The interest in the IPL doubles its figures annually.
What’s intriguing is that the peak Blask Index values don’t always coincide with the tournament’s opening or final matches, as one might expect. Indians are often more focused on their favorite teams or on the excitement of derby matchups during the playoffs.
For a deeper analysis of the IPL’s impact on the dynamics of India’s betting market, read this previous article.
Brazil: football and betting are inseparable
2019
The peak in Brazil occurred on December 21, when the Blask Index soared to 741,000 during the FIFA Club World Cup final between Flamengo and Liverpool
Fans were on the edge of their seats, and the betting interest was overwhelming—almost double the average for December 2019, when the Blask Index hovered around 350,000.
2020
The return of the Campeonato Brasileiro on August 9 sparked a massive surge in the Blask Index, reaching 740,000.
Originally scheduled to start much earlier, the season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to heightened excitement as bettors eagerly embraced the return of live football.
2021
October 23 saw the Campeonato Brasileiro derby between Flamengo and Fluminense trigger Blask Index spike of 2.8m.
Fluminense’s victory in such a critical match not only excited fans but also sent bettors flocking to place wagers.
2022
November 24 marked Brazil’s group-stage match against Serbia in the 2022 World Cup. Activity skyrocketed to 10m on Brazil’s first Group G match day.
The World Cup proved to be a powerful magnet for bettors, showcasing Brazil’s deep connection to sports betting.
2023
May 20 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup set a new Blask Index peak at 11m.
Held in Argentina, the tournament began with a match between Argentina and Uzbekistan — an encounter likely to attract more Brazilian bettors due to Argentina’s historic rivalry with Brazil.
2024
On July 14 and October 5, Brazil’s engagement levels surged again, with the Blask Index reaching its peak at 10m during the Copa América final and the Olympics in Paris.
These events pushed the industry to new heights, cementing football’s place as a major driver of the betting industry.
Key takeaways
Unlike India, Brazil lacks a single sporting event driving betting activity. However, one clear pattern emerges: Brazilians are passionate about football and their national team.
And events like the Copa América and the World Cup are the primary engines behind the betting surge. Every major match — whether a global tournament or a local derby — unfailingly causes a spike in activity.
Peru: moments that ignite passion
2019
On July 7, the Copa América final took place, and the Blask Index in Peru reached a record of 616,000. Although the Peru national team lost to Brazil.
2020
On August 23, Peruvian fans followed the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, pushing Blask Index to 881,000.
Despite no Peruvian teams participating in European championships, interest in global football remained strong.
2021
On October 10, an important World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia drew 1.5m on Blask Index.
Peru’s fate in the world championship was on the line, and the intensity of the match sparked a huge frenzy.
2022
December 18 — the World Cup final between Argentina and France became a historic event, with Peru’s Blask Index reaching a peak of 2.8m.
2023
September 12 and October 12 saw interest spike again to 1.9m for the crucial World Cup qualifying matches between Peru and Brazil in September, and Peru and Chile in October.
2024
July 14 drew viewers back to their screens as the final match of Copa América between Argentina and Colombia took place, with Blask Index reaching its peak of the year at 1.4m.
Key takeaways
For Peru, key moments for betting are not only international tournaments but also significant matches of the national team, such as World Cup qualifiers. Every major event, from the Copa América final to qualifying matches, triggers a strong surge in interest and player engagement.
A detailed look at betting trends
Imagine that data on betting interest dynamics is not just numbers, but the key to understanding future trends. And this is exactly what Blask does, analysing data from the past few years to help you predict what the market will look like in the near future.
Blask has analysed key data and can now precisely identify which events shape player behaviour in different countries and why.
Blask doesn’t just collect statistics — the platform identifies patterns that will help you make informed decisions and adapt your strategy to reality.
Here’s what the data says about three key markets.
India
In India, cricket, specifically the IPL, is the main driver. Maximum activity is not observed during the opening or closing of the seasons but during matches between popular teams. Especially high levels are recorded when four top teams play on the same day.
Over five years, activity has grown from 437,000 to 3m on the Blask Index, indicating steady growth in interest in both cricket and betting in the country. A new record of 6m is expected in 2025!
Brazil
In Brazil, the picture is more diverse, with football as the undeniable leader, but interest is spread across various tournaments.
Activity here is tied to both international events (World Cup, Copa América, Olympic Games) and domestic tournaments (Campeonato Brasileiro). A particular surge is seen during intense local derbies, such as when Flamengo faces Fluminense.
Peru
The Peruvian market demonstrates strong ties to national team performances. Peak values are achieved during important international matches, especially in World Cup qualifiers and Copa América.
Interestingly, Peruvian fans show high activity even in matches that don’t involve their national team, as seen during the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France or during the European Champions
League featuring Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Indicators grew from 616 thousand in 2019 to an impressive 14m in 2024.
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About Blask: Founded by visionaries Dmitry Belianin and Max Tesla, Blask is changing the landscape of iGaming analytics. Blask’s mission is to provide cutting-edge, data-driven solutions so market leaders can make quick, informed decisions.
