AGA says more than 20m Americans to bet on World Cup

The American Gaming Association has been keeping an eye on the hype for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and now, it appears that at least 8% of the American adult population or some 20.5m are going to be placing a wager on the upcoming event. The event is going to generate an expected total betting handle of $1.8bn the association says, and there is sufficient interest in it.

The number of bettors is actually much smaller than the 46.6m who are betting on the National Football League season, but it definitely points to a cultural understanding of the importance of football (or soccer in this case) in the United States. AGA h as been able to provide a good breakdown of what it expects from World Cup bettors, as it has with previous events and sports.

According to AGA, 48% of bettors will be placing a bet online, or some 9.8m people. 29% of bettors, or 6m people, will be placing a casual bet with a friend. Some 23% of all bettors or 4.7m will place a bet at a retail sportsbook. Another 20% or 4.1m people will place a bet with a bookie, and 3.5m people or 17% will place a bet with a paid pool or as part of a fantasy contest.

Interestingly, 78% of all interviewed bettors said that it was important for them to place their wagers with authorized sportsbooks and legally. This means that there is a growing public awareness about regulated and unregulated gambling sites and markets, with an overwhelming majority of people now actively seeking out the licensed options.

AGA SVP Casey Clark said that more than half of American adults now had access to legal betting options, and that interest in sports wagering as a whole is increasing in the country. Clark added:

"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."

The association provided additional breakdown saying that Gen Z and Millennial were among the most interested bettors. Gen X were third and Baby Boomers brought up the rear. Clark reminded that people who participate in World Cup betting should do so responsibly, echoing the Have A Game Plan campaign spearheaded by the association.

Clark urged bettors to set a budget, learn about odds, play with regulated operators, and have fun.

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