World Cup expected to generate more in sports bets than the Super Bowl
The upcoming World Cup is anticipated to generate significant sports betting activity, surpassing the Super Bowl. Americans are projected to wager approximately $3.1 billion on World Cup games, with additional bets expected through prediction markets. The tournament's expanded format and prime-time matches in North America are likely to further increase engagement and betting participation.
- ▪Americans are expected to wager $3.1 billion on World Cup games through online sports betting.
- ▪Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are projected to handle another $2.4 billion in bets.
- ▪A recent survey found that 58% of Americans plan to bet on the World Cup, with many intending to wager at least $250.
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MoneyWatch World Cup expected to generate more in sports bets than the Super Bowl .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Mary Cunningham Mary Cunningham Reporter, MoneyWatch Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. She previously worked at "60 Minutes," CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program. Read Full Bio Mary Cunningham May 21, 2026 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The players won't be the only ones looking to score when the World Cup kicks off on June 11 across 16 cities in three continents. Held this year in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., the quadrennial soccer tournament is expected to become one of the biggest gambling events of all time.
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