$1.8 billion could be bet on the 2022 FIFA World Cup

According to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) inaugural survey on World Cup Wagering, 20.5 million American adults (8% of the population) plan to bet a total of $1.8 billion on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Unlike other major events like the Super Bowl and March Madness that have significant casual betting components, the vast majority of World Cup bettors (72%) plan to place traditional bets either online, with a bookie or at a physical sportsbook. The survey also found the majority (78%) of World Cup bettors say it is important for them to place their bets legally. "As the first World Cup with widespread availability of legal sports betting, this will certainly be the most bet-upon soccer event ever in the U.S.," said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. "With more than half of all American adults having access to legal betting options in their home market, legal sports betting will deepen American fan engagement in the most-watched sporting event in the world."

According to the survey, 29% of the American adults who plan to watch the World Cup intend to wager on the tournament. Gen Z (11%) and Millennial (14%) adults are more interested in betting on the World Cup than Gen X (8%) and Baby Boomers (2%). If they were given $50 to bet, most Americans would put their money on the United States (24%) to win the World Cup, followed by Brazil (19%), Argentina (17%) and Germany (10%). "As the World Cup kicks off, anyone getting in on the action should have a game plan to bet responsibly. That means setting a budget, keeping it fun, learning the odds and playing with legal, regulated operators," Clark added.