FIFA World Cup Fuels Major Increases in Soccer Betting Handles Across Key States
Written by Ines Wolf · Aug 29, 2026
FIFA World Cup Fuels Major Increases in Soccer Betting Handles Across Key States
States that separate soccer betting data reported sharp rises in handle during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to figures compiled for June and July. Maryland posted $125.5 million in soccer handle for the two-month stretch, nearly four times the $33.9 million recorded in the same period the previous year, while Oregon reached $52.8 million, more than five times its prior-year total of $10.1 million.
Maryland and Oregon Show Largest Percentage Gains
Regulatory reports from Maryland and Oregon illustrate the scale of the increase once soccer receives its own category. In Maryland the handle climbed from $33.9 million to $125.5 million, and in Oregon the jump ran from $10.1 million to $52.8 million. Observers note that both states track soccer separately, which allows direct year-over-year comparison without dilution from other sports categories.
Those figures cover the primary window of the tournament and reflect activity placed through licensed operators. Data shows teh growth occurred while the event drew consistent viewership across U.S. markets, though the reports themselves contain only the handle totals supplied by each state.
New York Records Substantial Dollar Increase
New York experienced a 47 percent year-over-year rise in handle tied to the same six-week span, producing an additional $1 billion in volume. The state does not isolate soccer in its public reports, so the increase appears within broader sports betting totals, yet analysts attribute the surge primarily to World Cup activity. Similar patterns surfaced in New Jersey and Indiana when operators grouped soccer bets under an “other” sports designation, indicating the effect reached multiple jurisdictions.
Context of State Reporting Practices
Only a handful of states break soccer out as a distinct line item, which limits nationwide aggregation but provides clearer signals in Maryland and Oregon. New York’s larger market size means even a 47 percent lift generates a sizable dollar figure, and the $1 billion incremental handle stands as the largest absolute gain among the states referenced. Regulatory filings for August 2026 continue to arrive, yet the June-July numbers already demonstrate the tournament’s measurable impact on licensed betting channels.
Additional States Reflect Parallel Trends
Although New Jersey and Indiana do not publish dedicated soccer lines, operators there recorded elevated activity in residual “other” categories during the same weeks. Those gains align with the timing of the World Cup schedule and mirror the directional movement seen in states that isolate soccer data. The consistency across reporting formats suggests the tournament influenced betting behavior even where granular soccer figures remain unavailable.
State gaming commissions compile these numbers from operator submissions, and the resulting reports focus solely on handle rather than win or loss amounts. Because handle represents total dollars wagered before payouts, the increases directly indicate higher betting volume during the event period.
Conclusion
The June-July 2026 data from Maryland, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, and Indiana document a clear rise in soccer-related betting activity coinciding with the FIFA World Cup. Maryland’s $125.5 million and Oregon’s $52.8 million stand out for their separate tracking, while New York’s 47 percent lift and $1 billion added handle illustrate the effect in a larger market. Additional states showed comparable patterns through broader categories, and the figures come directly from state regulatory reports referenced in industry coverage. Those numbers remain available for further review through official channels and Sports Business Journal summaries.