Brazil’s betting industry is projecting a significant surge in wagering activity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with some executives suggesting the country could generate up to BR31bn ($6bn) in betting volume throughout the tournament.
Industry estimates indicate global sports betting turnover could reach as much as $60bn during the competition, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. If Brazil accounts for around 10% of that activity, as some sector representatives expect, the country’s share would exceed BR30bn.
The tournament will be the first World Cup staged since Brazil’s regulated fixed-odds betting market launched in January 2025, making it a key test of the country’s new regulatory framework and the ability of licensed operators to attract and retain customers.
Industry experts attributed the projected increase to the expansion of the tournament format, which has grown from 64 matches to 104 games, creating additional opportunities for both pre-match and in-play betting.
ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge said it remains difficult to accurately forecast Brazil’s betting volume because the regulated market is still relatively new.
“We are approaching the World Cup with a market that has existed for only a year and a half. For this reason, it is difficult to predict the financial volume that will be generated during this period, but expectations across the sector are high,” he said.
The Brazil team's early draw may have also boosted Brazil-heavy brands – revenue-wise – given that Brazil was favourite (and would no doubt have been backed heavily by patriotic fans).
The draw would have seen a revenue swing towards operators, while anyone backing Brazil to win the tournament may also be thinking twice – after an opening game that saw manager Carlo Ancelotti declare himself "worried."
Recently, Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) intensified its responsible advertising and consumer protection efforts ahead of the World Cup as authorities prepare for one of the busiest periods of the year for sports wagering.
The SPA has announced a public hearing to gather industry input on a new regulatory framework for suppliers that provide services to fixed-odds operators
