The upcoming FIFA Men's World Cup is expected to become the largest betting event ever recorded, with analysts forecasting more than $50 billion (£37.4 billion) in wagers worldwide during the tournament.
The projected figure would surpass the estimated $35 billion bet during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and underline the growing influence of sports betting on major global sporting events.
Industry observers attribute the expected surge to several factors, including the expansion of the tournament format, broader sports betting legalization in key markets, and the favorable time zones of the host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While betting operators anticipate unprecedented activity, gambling awareness organizations have expressed concern over the potential financial and social consequences associated with increased gambling participation.
According to forecasts from financial services firm Macquarie, betting activity during the tournament could exceed $50 billion globally.
The report estimates that bettors could wager approximately $500 million on each match throughout the competition.
The projected total represents a substantial increase from the $35 billion wagered during the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Analysts believe this growth reflects both the expanding global gambling industry and the increasing accessibility of online sports betting platforms.
As digital wagering becomes more integrated into sports consumption, major tournaments such as the World Cup are increasingly viewed as prime opportunities for betting operators to attract new customers and increase revenues.
One of the primary reasons behind the projected increase in betting volumes is the expansion of the FIFA World Cup format.
Macquarie analyst Chad Benyon noted that the tournament has grown from 32 participating teams to 48 teams.
The expanded format will result in more than 100 matches being played over the tournament's six-week schedule.
By comparison, the 2022 World Cup featured only 64 matches.
The increase in fixtures creates more betting opportunities for fans and gamblers, contributing significantly to the expected rise in wagering activity.
Each additional match provides sportsbooks with new markets and betting options, ranging from traditional match outcomes to player performance and in-game events.
Another factor supporting betting growth is the geographical location of the host countries.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico offer time zones that are expected to attract strong television and digital audiences across Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
According to analysts, higher viewership often translates into greater betting participation, particularly when matches are accessible during convenient viewing hours.
The continued expansion of sports betting in the United States is also expected to play a major role in driving wagering activity.
Since the legalization of sports betting in several US states, the industry has experienced rapid growth.
According to Macquarie's analysis, approximately 65% of the US population now has legal access to sports betting, compared with around 40% during the 2022 World Cup.
This means the upcoming tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup in which a majority of Americans can legally place sports wagers.
The development is particularly significant because the US is one of the world's largest consumer markets and is expected to contribute substantially to global betting volumes.
Despite the anticipated surge in activity, Benyon cautioned that betting companies may face challenges converting occasional World Cup bettors into long-term customers.
He suggested that operators with integrated casino platforms could benefit the most if they successfully retain users after the tournament ends.
Benyon noted that the event could become a short-term boost for betting firms if they fail to turn casual participants into "repeat, multi-sport bettors".
While the betting industry views the tournament as a major commercial opportunity, gambling reform advocates have expressed concerns about the social costs associated with increased wagering.
Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, warned:
"hundreds of thousands of people across the world, especially young men, will suffer life-changing debt and financial distress"
He also stated:
"99 out of 100 sports bettors lose money in the long-term... the business model for commercialised sport gambling operators is completely based upon the people who have been turned into addicted gamblers, an addiction that causes victims to die by suicide at a rate unlike any other."
Bernal urged policymakers around the world to introduce stronger safeguards and restrictions to reduce gambling-related harm.
UK gambling reform advocate Matt Zarb-Cousin highlighted another concern.
According to him, individuals who begin betting on World Cup matches may be:
"cross-promoted more addictive casino content"
Critics argue that sports betting often serves as an entry point to higher-risk gambling activities, including online casino games.
Research from the National Centre for Social Research highlights the concentration of gambling revenues among a relatively small group of high-spending customers.
The study found that 79% of gambling company winnings in the UK came from the top 10% of spenders—those who wagered at least £5,639 annually.
These findings have intensified discussions about responsible gambling measures and consumer protection policies.
The debate over betting regulation is extending beyond traditional sportsbooks to prediction markets.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates prediction markets and commodity trading in the United States, recently proposed tighter restrictions on betting markets involving:
Terrorism
Assassination
War
Gaming
Activities prohibited under federal or state law
The proposal reflects growing concerns about the ethical and legal implications of wagering on sensitive geopolitical events.
Prediction market operators have already begun adjusting their offerings.
Kalshi has reportedly discontinued markets related to conflicts such as the Iran and Ukraine wars following criticism.
Meanwhile, competitor Polymarket continues to host such markets but does not generate fees from them.
The broader regulatory debate is expected to influence how prediction markets evolve alongside traditional sports betting platforms.
The FIFA Men's World Cup is poised to become the biggest betting event in history, with global wagers projected to exceed $50 billion. The tournament's expanded format, increased number of matches, favorable broadcasting schedules, and the rapid growth of legal sports betting markets—particularly in the United States—are driving unprecedented levels of betting activity.
However, the anticipated surge has also reignited concerns about gambling addiction, financial distress, and consumer protection. As regulators, industry participants, and advocacy groups continue to debate the future of sports betting and prediction markets, the World Cup will serve as a major test case for balancing commercial growth with responsible gambling practices.
The tournament's impact is likely to extend far beyond the football pitch, influencing the future direction of the global betting industry