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Americans Expected to Wager $3.1 Billion on 2026 World Cup

Bookies.com forecasts Americans will place $3.1 billion in online sports bets on the 2026 World Cup. Prediction markets are projected to handle an additional $2.4 billion in wagers.

Cbs News
1 source·May 21, 1:30 PM(8 days ago)·1m read
Americans Expected to Wager $3.1 Billion on 2026 World Cupapi.foxsports.com
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Com. , will feature 48 teams and 104 matches. com predicts online sports betting will generate $3. 4 billion, the site said.

8 billion on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A PwC survey of more than 2,000 adults conducted in April found that 58% of Americans plan to bet on the 2026 tournament. About one-third of those planning to wager said they intend to bet at least $250. Bets may occur through online services, prediction markets, fantasy sports contests, or informal wagers.

Seven states have approved sports betting since the 2022 World Cup. Lawmakers in New Jersey, which is hosting several matches, recently introduced a bill that would add a 10% surcharge on World Cup wagers. John Ewing, a public relations executive at BetMGM, said more matches in prime time across North America should make it easier for fans to watch and wager. S.

team would likely increase betting activity.

Key Facts

$3.1 billion
projected online sports bets by Americans
$2.4 billion
projected prediction market wagers
48 teams
field size for 2026 World Cup
58%
Americans planning to bet per PwC survey

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. April 2026

    PwC surveyed more than 2,000 adults on World Cup betting plans.

    1 source@CBSNews
  2. Recent

    New Jersey lawmakers introduced a bill adding a 10% surcharge on World Cup wagers.

    1 source@CBSNews
  3. June 11, 2026

    World Cup begins across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

    1 source@CBSNews

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Betting platforms may see increased user activity during the tournament.

  2. 02

    New Jersey could collect additional tax revenue if the surcharge bill passes.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count164 words
PublishedMay 21, 2026, 1:30 PM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1

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