The World Cup will likely be the biggest gambling event in history
The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the largest betting event ever, driven by expanded matches and legal sports betting in the U.S.Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to become the largest betting event in history, marking the first time the U.S. sports-wagering market is tested at full scale. Analysts predict global wagers could exceed $50 billion, up from $35 billion in 2022, fueled by the expanded format of 48 teams and 104 matches. Macquarie analysts expect the tournament to boost operator EBITDA by 2% to 5%, with companies like Flutter Entertainment and FanDuel well-positioned to capitalize on the surge in activity. Deutsche Bank estimates U.S. betting handle alone could reach $3.3 billion, with FanDuel and DraftKings leading the market. The tournament's popularity is further amplified by the global audience, with the 2022 final drawing 1.5 billion viewers. As the U.S. sports-betting market matures, with 65% of the population now having legal access, sportsbooks are enhancing offerings like same-game parlays and live betting. However, the rise of prediction markets and concerns about responsible gambling, including "friendly fraud" and habitual betting, present new challenges. The World Cup is expected to drive unprecedented engagement, but also raise critical questions about the long-term impacts of such a massive gambling event.
(Source：Cnbc)