• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Only Super Bowl LVI Had More Bets Than World Cup

  • Super Bowl LVI had 23.5 million geolocation checks.
  • Argentina’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final generated 7.9 million geolocation transactions.
Lionel Messi preparing to shoot in front of two French defenders in World Cup final
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

The electric World Cup final between Argentina and France on Dec. 18 was one of the most wagered-on sporting events in the U.S. this year. 

Argentina’s victory over France on penalty kicks to capture its first World Cup since 1986 generated 7.9 million geolocation transactions, according to fraud and geolocation specialist GeoComply. 

  • The World Cup was the second most wagered-on final behind Super Bowl LVI, which had 23.5 million geolocation checks in the Los Angeles Rams’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
  • The men’s NCAA tournament championship, which saw Kansas edge North Carolina 72-69 — had 4.8 million geolocation transactions.
  • The final game of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors had 5.1 million geolocation checks. 

The desire for sports fans to wager on the World Cup final came amid record viewership. 

The match drew 16.8 million viewers for the telecast on FOX — the most watched men’s World Cup game on English-language American television ever. 

Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo reportedly drew an additional 5.5 million viewers

Big Expectations 

The 2022 World Cup was projected to see $35 billion in wagers globally over the month-long tournament — a 65% increase compared to four years ago, according to Barclays analysts.

Brazilian attacker Raphinha dribbles at Swiss defender during World Cup match up

World Cup Bets Expected to Hit $35B

Analysts expect a 65% uptick in World Cup sports bets from 2018.
November 29, 2022

During the 2018 World Cup — which the USMNT didn’t qualify for — sports betting was legal for roughly 10 million Americans while this year’s tournament was legal for 132 million people.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Tortillas

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Donald Trump

FIFA Backs Down, Suggests Trump Could Move World Cup Games

Trump has threatened to remove games from Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.

DraftKings Buys Prediction-Markets Platform but No Sports Just Yet

Front Office Sports reported DraftKings was in talks to buy Railbird in August.
Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker
October 8, 2025

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.
Jenny Just
October 13, 2025

Austin FC Co-Owner: Teach Your Daughters to Play Poker

She calls poker a “mind sport” like chess that teaches important life skills.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
NYSE
October 7, 2025

NYSE Owner Pours $2B Into Polymarket at $8B Valuation

Prediction markets keep pushing further into the mainstream.
Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Highmark Stadium.
exclusive
September 25, 2025

Kalshi, Polymarket Sought to Buy Prediction-Market Platform Novig

Novig is available in close to 40 states.
September 12, 2025

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball past Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Soldier Field.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

Americans See Little Difference Between Prediction Markets and Betting

A survey found 85% of respondents believe sports event contracts are gambling.