(AsiaGameHub) – By: Christian Pierce
The 2026 World Cup’s $60B betting handle forecast isn’t a lock. H2 Gambling Capital’s projection rests on fragile factors. Expanded 48-team format might dilute match quality. Team performance—like US or Mexico deep runs—could swing numbers up or down. Italy’s absence already weighs on estimates.
H2 projects $60B in legal handle, up 71% from 2022 and 185% from 2018. North America’s hosts contribute $5.7B: US $2.9B, Mexico $2.5B, Canada $300M. A 12.5% hold rate (driven by parlays and bet builders) gives operators $7.5B gross win. Soccer’s share of betting drops to 56% in 2026 as US sports gain. Prediction markets are excluded.
Operators’ success hinges on two keys: high-margin parlays and team runs. If major nations go far, handle rises. Early exits drag it down. The end-game? This World Cup’s revenue won’t just be about more games—it’s about whether fans bet on them, and how operators cash in on parlays.
Author bio: Christian Pierce, a chief financial columnist and markets commentator specializing in sports betting industry trends.