臺北新聞熱綫

(AsiaGameHub) –   Steven Pizzella, a Deutsche Bank analyst, projected that wagers on the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 could top $4 billion, fueled by improved media coverage and the tournament’s status as a North American-hosted event.

U.S. Poised to See Elevated FIFA Wagers This Year

When calculating handle growth for 2026, Pizzella factored in the substantial jump in World Cup matches, as the tournament expanded from 64 games in 2022 to 104 in 2026. He also accounted for a 20% rise in the number of Americans eligible to place sports bets since 2022, which climbed from 104 million to 135 million.

He also highlighted the advantages of hosting the World Cup across North America, as this year’s FIFA event will feature matches held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This brings benefits like more favorable time zones and greater media coverage for North American fans, which is expected to drive higher fan engagement compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which was seven hours ahead of the U.S.

Per Pizzella’s analysis, FanDuel could see an additional $1.3 billion in handle from the World Cup, while DraftKings is projected to generate roughly $1.1 billion and BetMGM around $250 million. However, financial benefits from the World Cup won’t be limited to sports operators, as several U.S. states will also collect more tax revenue from sports bets. Notably, New Jersey, one of the tournament’s host locations, is considering a temporary tax hike on sports betting to recoup some event-related expenses.

Operators Focus on Long-Term Growth Beyond Short-Term Profits

Flutter Entertainment CFO Rob Coldrake noted that the tournament is often mistakenly viewed solely as a major short-term profit driver, instead emphasizing its value as a long-term customer acquisition opportunity that can fuel future revenue growth. Meanwhile, DraftKings CFO Alan Ellingson recently called the World Cup a “fantastic” opportunity for customer engagement and acquisition.

For bettors, this shift will likely translate into more promotional offers, enhanced betting markets, increased app engagement campaigns, and more intense competition among sportsbooks throughout the tournament.

The report also highlighted the growing role of prediction markets ahead of the tournament. Pizzella cited data from Kalshi indicating a 42% probability that the United States advances to the round of 16. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket are expected to draw substantial World Cup-related activity as more users seek alternative ways to engage with sporting events.

In other FIFA-related news, Betano was recently named the event’s Official Tournament Supporter for Europe and South America.