Blask Index Falls Across All Major US iGaming Categories in First Half of 2026
TL;DR — Blask Index data indicates declining demand across US traditional sportsbooks, prediction markets, and sweepstakes in early 2026. Traditional operators saw a 15.4% drop from January by June while sweepstakes recovered 16.7% higher due to Crown Coins’ 445% surge. Prediction markets remained 6.9% below peak despite a late rebound.
SCCG Take — Demand softness underscores the need for operators to pursue share gains and innovation rather than market growth. Concentration risks in prediction markets and sweepstakes make category performance vulnerable to single-brand results.
The Blask Index posted declines in every major US iGaming category during the first half of 2026. Exclusive data shared with Focus Gaming News shows traditional sportsbooks and casinos, prediction markets, and sweepstakes all lost demand from January to May. Only sweepstakes recovered fully by June, and that rebound depended on a single brand.
All categories reached their H1 peak in January before sliding through May. The traditional segment exhibited the most consistent downward path in line with seasonal patterns observed since 2016. The Blask Index serves as a real-time proxy for player interest based on normalised search data.
Traditional Sportsbooks Register the Steepest Losses
Traditional sportsbooks and casinos fell 16.9 per cent from January to May. The index closed June 15.4 per cent below the January starting point. February delivered the largest single-month drop at 16.8 per cent after the Super Bowl.
Brand performance varied but tilted lower overall. Bovada declined 14.6 per cent from January to June while BetOnline fell 13.6 per cent and DraftKings 14.4 per cent. BetRivers, MyBookie and Rainbet each dropped more than 25 per cent. Bet365 gained 37.6 per cent as the clear outlier.
Concentration Defines Prediction and Sweepstakes Outcomes
Prediction markets declined 15.5 per cent from January to May. A 10.3 per cent rebound in June left the category 6.9 per cent lower than its starting point. Polymarket and Kalshi controlled 97.4 per cent of category demand in June.
Kalshi surged more than 77 per cent in June after falling 35 per cent by May to finish 15.3 per cent above January. Polymarket ended 13.8 per cent lower. Sweepstakes fell 5.6 per cent by May yet finished 16.7 per cent higher than January, driven by Crown Coins at a 445 per cent increase.
Most other sweepstakes brands including Chumba Casino stayed below their January baselines. The data shows recoveries remain fragile when dependent on one or two brands while traditional demand follows a predictable seasonal trough between the Super Bowl and NFL season.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
When every category loses steam at once, the winners will be operators who fight for share, not coast.
This is not a blip — it is structural cooling. We have seen market maturation cycles before, and the playbook is simple: you either innovate product, sharpen retention, or buy growth through M&A. Operators waiting for the tide to lift all boats will get left behind.
- Traditional sportsbooks fell 15.4% January to June; only Bet365 bucked the trend
- Sweeps rebounded solely on Crown Coins' 445% spike — fragile, concentrated recovery
- Prediction markets down 6.9% despite late Kalshi surge; two brands control 97% of demand
SCCG angle: We are working with operators across every segment in this data — traditional, sweeps, prediction. When demand softens, our network becomes the edge: partnership intros for customer acquisition arbitrage, tech stack audits to cut CAC, and M&A deal flow when consolidation becomes the only path to growth. This is exactly when you need a connector.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →