IGT PlaySports Gears Up to Expand Offerings for B2B and B2C Clients Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

(AsiaGameHub) –   IGT PlaySports Head of Sports Trading, Tony DiTommaso, explains how extensive expertise will allow IGT to assist and scale opportunities for clients in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup.

Soccer’s popularity in the U.S. is climbing as the sport gains greater visibility. With the FIFA World Cup set to kick off in mid-June, North America will be the center of global attention as it hosts the tournament for the first time since 1994.

Beyond the massive international viewership, millions of spectators are expected to visit the 16 host cities—11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada.

This heightened focus on soccer is expected to trigger a surge in wagering volume across North America, a market that typically trails behind major U.S. sports like basketball, baseball, and American football.

Financial services firm Gabelli, based in New York, forecasts that the total U.S. handle will more than double the $1.8bn recorded during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

We view this as a prime opportunity to promote the World Cup to our clients and sustain business momentum during the traditionally quieter summer months.

Wagering is already open for group stage matches beginning June 11, alongside various tournament props, including qualification outcomes, eliminations, group winners, and individual player awards.

The comprehensive betting menu for the World Cup mirrors that of other major sporting events, such as March Madness, the Super Bowl, and professional league playoffs.

Offerings include the standard three-way money line (win, lose, or draw) and prop bets—such as team top scorers, player discipline, and assists—that cater to both casual soccer fans and those with deep knowledge of international players and teams.

We have made a concerted effort to communicate proactively with our clients regarding the tournament.

We are currently providing hundreds of prop bets for each match scheduled for early June, as well as numerous tournament futures markets, including group betting, the Golden Boot, teams to advance, and odds regarding when host nations might be eliminated.

Fortunately, IGT clients benefit from the PlaySports Trading Advisory Service team, which prioritizes events of this magnitude and possesses a thorough understanding of the sport, its betting trends, and emerging opportunities.

As these major events approach, IGT’s trading advisory team increases engagement with clients, keeping them updated on new content as it becomes available.

Preparation for this year’s World Cup is especially critical, as the event’s presence in the United States is expected to drive substantial handle.

A study by the global payments platform Paysafe suggests that the World Cup will generate opportunities for both first-time bettors and increased engagement from experienced sports wagering enthusiasts.

The research indicates that 92% of those planning to bet expect to wager at their usual level or higher, with 37% intending to increase their activity—a figure that rises to 51% among U.S. residents.

The rise in online betting and soccer’s growing popularity in the U.S., paired with the tournament’s timing during the typically slower summer season, creates a unique convergence of potential for IGT clients.

Unlike previous tournaments, this event takes place in U.S. time zones, features an expanded number of teams, and offers highly accessible viewing options.

Some of our team members recall the 1994 World Cup, which certainly boosted handle; with today’s technological advancements driving engagement, we anticipate even greater growth in 2026.