AGA Projects 20.5 Million Americans Will Bet on 2022 World Cup

American Gaming Association (AGA) says a huge increase in the number of US online sportsbooks since the 2018 tournament will drive wagers, which are expected to hit $1.8 billion.
AGA Projects 20.5 Million Americans Will Bet on 2022 World Cup
By
November 20, 2022

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. Americans are planning to make a big splash this year in the world’s biggest sporting event — the FIFA World Cup.

According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), 20.5 million American adults, or 8% of the adult population, plan to wager $1.8 billion on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which begins November 20 and runs through December 18.

The figures are included in the AGA’s first-ever survey of World Cup wagering.

More Markets for Wagering Compared to 2018

This year’s edition of the World Cup, which is held every four years, will be the first where Americans have easy access to placing a legal online wager.

The World Cups between 1994 and 2014 were held while the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which prohibited most forms of sports betting, was in effect. That changed in May 2018, when the US Supreme Court ruled in Murphy v. NCAA that PASPA was unconstitutional.

The 2018 World Cup opened just one month after the Murphy ruling, so wagering opportunities were limited to just three US states — Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey. The AGA added that 132 million Americans have access to legal wagering for the 2022 World Cup, compared to 10 million in the 2018 contest.

“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 US,” 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.”

Mobile sports betting is legal and operational in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Five additional markets — Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Ohio — have legalized real money US sports betting but are not yet operational.

$150 Bonus Bet for new bettors
$150 Bonus Bet

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Additional Terms Apply.

Last verified: Mar 1, 2024
  • Quality welcome offer
  • Some of the best promos
  • Variety of betting markets
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Despite Low Rank, Americans Picking US to Win

The AGA said the vast majority of World Cup bettors (72%) would place traditional bets online, with a bookie, or in person at a retail sportsbook. That differs from events like the Super Bowl and March Madness, where many bets are made with casual components — such as brackets and squares.

According to the survey:

  • 9.8 million Americans (48% of total World Cup bettors) plan to place a wager online
  • 6 million (29%) will place a casual bet with a friend
  • 4.7 million (23%) will place an in-person wager at a casino’s retail sportsbook
  • 4.1 million (20%) plan to place a wager with a bookie
  • 3.5 million (17%) will place a bet as part of a paid pool or fantasy contest

The survey also found:

  • Three in ten (29%) of American adults who plan to watch the World Cup will place a wager on the tournament
  • Broken down by generation, 11% of Generation Z adults (among those aged 21 and older) plan to bet on the World Cup, compared to 14% of Millennials, 8% of Generation X, and 2% of Baby Boomers

Americans were also found to be incredibly optimistic bettors. Despite the US team being ranked 16th in the tournament, 24% of Americans would place a $50 bet on the US to win the World Cup. Top-ranked Brazil (19%), No. 3-ranked Argentina (17%), and No. 11-ranked Germany (10%) were the following winners chosen by American bettors.

“As the World Cup kicks off, anyone getting in on the action should have a game plan to bet responsibly,” Clark said. “That means setting a budget, keeping it fun, learning the odds, and playing with legal, regulated operators.”

The survey was conducted online by Morning Consult on behalf of the AGA. The firm contacted a national sample of 2,213 adults between November 3 and November 5.

Not sure where to wager on the World Cup? Check our list of the Best US Sportsbooks for the safest, most secure, and most reliable sites for sports betting in the country.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500

Keep reading: