This sharp 24-hour spike is not just a momentary surge — it reflects a consistent, long-term trend: the IPL continues to drive exponential growth in India’s iGaming sector each year.
Here’s how the Blask Index has evolved on IPL’s opening days in recent years:
- 2024: 1.28M → 2.38M
- 2023: 868.1K → 1.84M
- 2022: 674.8K → 1.27M
- 2021: 569.9K → 1.23M
- 2020: 372.1K → 715.4K
- 2019: 176.8K → 249.6K
- 2018: 114.5K → 291.9K
- 2017: 121.8K → 276.4K
The growth is impossible to ignore: in just eight years, iGaming activity around the IPL’s start has increased more than eighteen-fold. The IPL has evolved beyond a sports tournament — it’s now an economic catalyst for India’s entire interactive betting ecosystem.
But despite the impressive numbers, opening day isn’t the high point. Historical data shows that record-breaking Blask Index spikes typically occur mid-season, not at the kickoff.
– In 2021, the Blask Index hit 1.8M on April 18 — during matches between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders.
– In 2024, an all-time high of 3M was recorded on April 28 during marquee clashes between Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The formula for peak engagement isn’t about opening ceremonies — it’s about team matchups. When India’s most popular franchises face off, attention skyrockets, regardless of the tournament stage.
So while 2.39 million bets on IPL’s first day is undoubtedly a headline-grabbing number, industry experts agree: the real surge is still to come. Blask predicts record-breaking engagement later in the season, especially if key teams meet on the same day again.
India continues to live and breathe cricket — and as the Blask Index proves, betting is increasingly becoming part of the national ritual.
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.
