SouthernWorldwide.com – The upcoming World Cup is poised to become a monumental event in sports betting, with projections indicating it will surpass the betting volume of the Super Bowl.
The quadrennial soccer tournament, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. starting June 11, is anticipated to be one of the largest gambling spectacles ever.
Bookies.com forecasts that Americans will place approximately $3.1 billion in wagers on World Cup games through online sports betting platforms. These platforms are legally accessible in numerous U.S. states.
Furthermore, prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are expected to handle an additional $2.4 billion in bets, according to the same report from the online sports betting site.
“Prediction markets have been around for a long time, but they only began accepting sports trades last year,” explained Bill Speros, a sports betting analyst for Bookies.com.
“Therefore, you’re likely to see Kalshi and Polymarket achieve significant numbers with this event,” he added.
In comparison, Americans legally bet $1.8 billion on the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. This figure was roughly equivalent to the amount wagered on the 2026 Super Bowl.
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A recent survey conducted by PwC revealed that a substantial 58% of Americans intend to bet on the World Cup.
These bets can take various forms, including online betting services, prediction markets, fantasy sports contests, or even informal wagers among friends and family.
Approximately one-third of individuals planning to bet stated they intend to wager at least $250. These findings are based on a poll of over 2,000 adults conducted in April, according to PwC.
The immense scale of the World Cup is a primary driver behind the projected surge in betting activity.
This year’s tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, a significant increase from the 32 teams that competed in 2022. The event will also encompass a record 104 matches.
The hosting of more matches in prime time across North America is also expected to boost engagement from bettors.
John Ewing, a public relations executive at BetMGM, an online sports betting company, highlighted the convenience factor. “It will be easier for fans to watch and wager during the games,” he stated.
Ewing pointed out that the time difference between the U.S. and Qatar in 2022 presented challenges for Americans wanting to place bets during live games.
The performance of the U.S. team is also anticipated to influence betting patterns. If the U.S. team advances beyond the group stage, it could significantly drive further betting.
“People tend to wager on their favorite teams, or in this case, they tend to be patriotic and support the Americans,” Ewing commented.
The landscape of sports betting in the U.S. has also evolved since the last World Cup. Seven new states have legalized sports betting since the 2022 tournament.
Some states are actively seeking to capitalize on the increased betting activity. For instance, lawmakers in New Jersey, which is set to host several World Cup matches, have recently proposed a bill.
This proposed legislation aims to implement a 10% surcharge specifically on World Cup wagers placed within the state.
