The stakes are high and so are the bets.
Around 20.5 million American adults plan to bet a record total of $1.8 billion on the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This is according to the American Gaming Association (AGC), which conducted its inaugural survey on World Cup wagering.
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Based on the survey, Americans hypothetically given $50 to bet would put their money on the United States (24 percent) to win.
Bettors counting on Brazil (19 percent), Argentina (17 percent), and Germany (10 percent) trail behind.
“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. 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,” AGA senior vice president Casey Clark said.
The vast majority (72 percent) plan to place traditional bets online, with a bookie, or at a physical sportsbook. In fact, the survey found the majority (78 percent) of bettors think it is important to place bets legally.
“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 concluded.
Banner Photo by FIFA via website.
