WC bets may eclipse March Madness, Super Bowl
Key takeaways
- But with the World Cup taking place on North American soil this summer, experts believe wagering on soccer's biggest tournament could exceed them both.
- Betting industry analysts estimate $2.9 billion will be bet on the FIFA World Cup at U.S.
- Bets on the NCAA basketball tournaments in the U.S.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
But with the World Cup taking place on North American soil this summer, experts believe wagering on soccer's biggest tournament could exceed them both.
Betting industry analysts estimate $2.9 billion will be bet on the FIFA World Cup at U.S. sportsbooks, more than double the amount wagered on the 2022 tournament and a figure that could spike with a deep run by long-shot Team USA.
Bets on the NCAA basketball tournaments in the U.S. were expected to exceed $3 billion, and approximately $1.7 billion was wagered on Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, according to gambling industry reporter Chris Altruda, who used state revenue reports to form his estimate.