Even though no World Cup games are played in Las Vegas, the tournament is attracting large crowds to local sportsbooks. It is also driving a surge in betting expected to make it the largest gambling event in history. This year, betting activity spikes during every Cup match played worldwide.
Global wagers on the World Cup are expected to exceed $50 billion, up from $35 billion in 2022. This growth is driven by online sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook. It is also fueled by Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Mike Palms, Vice President at Circa Resort & Casino, stated that the property has sold out seats at its sportsbook throughout the tournament. It attracts both domestic and international visitors who want to experience the Cup excitement firsthand.
At Circa, bets have ranged from $2 to $800,000, with some bettors winning significant amounts and others incurring losses as the Cup games unfold.
Josh Swissman, co-founding partner of GMA Consulting, noted that the tournament’s timing contributed to its success. The NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final recently concluded, and sports fans are already visiting sportsbooks. In this way, Cup fever takes over the sporting calendar just as other championships end.
Swissman added that online sports betting has transformed how people wager on the World Cup. “Just being able to place a bet anytime you want from your mobile device as opposed to going to a sportsbook, which sometime entails having to come to Vegas to make that wager,” he said.
Swissman stated that the World Cup is expected to benefit Las Vegas economically, from increased tourism to growth in the gaming industry. However, he cautioned that this success may prompt other states to pursue sports betting legislation to capitalize on major events like the Cup, which is watched worldwide.
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Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
