The World Cup is creating an unprecedented surge in sports betting, much of it happening online, and the gaming industry is under pressure to grow responsibly.
New data from the 2026 Jumio Online Identity Study shows that consumers want to bet, expect platforms to protect minors, and are willing to verify their identities to do so. Sports betting growth and consumer protection are both the goals.
The following infographic highlights key findings from the study, which examined the views of more than 8,000 adult consumers, split evenly across the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Mexico.
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The World Cup’s Hidden Scoreboard:
Protecting the Beautiful Game’s Biggest Betting Moment
The World Cup is creating an unprecedented surge in sports betting, much of it happening online, and the gaming industry is under pressure to grow responsibly. Jumio’s data show that consumers want to bet, expect platforms to protect minors, and are willing to verify their identities to do so. Sports betting growth and consumer protection are both the goals.
Online platforms are the new stadium, and the rules of the game are changing.
- World Cup betting volume projected to double 2022 figures (iGaming Business)
- 1 in 3 people globally plan to bet on the World Cup (2026 Jumio Online Identity Study)
The Betting Room
This isn’t your grandfather’s trip to the bookie. The World Cup is onboarding a new wave of digital players.
- 55% prefer online platforms to place their bets
- 33% plan to open a brand-new betting account for the World Cup
- 20% will interact with an online gaming platform for the very first time
- 37% plan to use multiple online betting platforms
2026 Jumio Online Identity Study
It’s a Social Sport
For nearly half of fans, betting isn’t a side activity; it’s core to how they engage with the tournament.
Betting is becoming part of the fan experience:
- 47% say sports betting is an important part of how they’ll enjoy the World Cup
- 46% plan to socialize around the bets they place with peers
- 43% already have an account they plan to use
2026 Jumio Online Identity Study
The Referee Problem: Protecting Minors
- 65% of U.S. adults reported participating in at least one form of gambling before age 21. Among these activities, 23% placed a sports bet. National Council on Problem Gambling
- 30% of 11- to 17-year-olds in the UK spent their own money on gambling in 2025 UK Gambling Commission
Consumers aren’t just hoping platforms will do the right thing — they’re demanding it. Nearly 3 in 4 people say the responsibility falls on the platforms themselves.
According to Jumio data:
- 63% of respondents worry about minors using sports betting apps during the World Cup
- 74% believe it’s important for online platforms and tech providers to prevent minors from betting
- Only 7% disagree that this should be a critical priority for the gaming industry
Identity is the Answer
Age verification and identity verification aren’t barriers to adoption; they’re becoming table stakes. Consumers expect them, and nearly half actively embrace them.
According to Jumio data:
- 49% of World Cup bettors are comfortable providing a government-issued ID and biometric data to access digital gaming platforms
The World Cup betting boom is here.
The question isn’t whether people will bet, it’s whether platforms are ready to protect them. Jumio helps online casinos, sportsbooks and other gaming sites verify who’s really on the other side of the screen so the game stays fair for everyone.
Learn more: jumio.com
