WORLD CUP 2026
(the Arrowhead Stadium is in Kansas City, Missouri) but, as Kansas legalized sports wagering back in 2022 for both mobile and retail operators, their wagering activity will be unimpeded. New York – Sports wagering has been legal in New York since 2022 and it is now the largest legal sports betting state by handle, averaging nearly US$2 billion in monthly sports wagering handle. 6 All the major mobile US sports wagering operators are active in New York, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM to name a few. More than 1.2 million visitors are expected to visit the Big Apple and surrounding areas during the tournament, 7 and the major sports wagering operators will likely offer enticing promotions to attract visiting fans. New Jersey – As the state responsible for the fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (better known as PASPA), New Jersey can be credited with the normalization of sports wagering in United States’ culture. Like New York, all of the major sports wagering operators are active in New Jersey. The state also offers retail sportsbooks, mostly at its casinos in Atlantic City, such as the Borgata and Caesars. Considering New Jersey will host the final match of the tournament, there will likely be a significant increase in sports betting handle in the Garden State. Pennsylvania – Philadelphia will host six World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field, with five-time World Cup champions, Brazil, playing there on June 19th. With 11 legal, online sports books to choose from in Pennsylvania, the roughly 500,000 visitors 8 to Philly will have the pick of the litter when choosing where to place their wagers. Downtown Philadelphia is also home to several casinos where bettors are able to place wagers in person. US states without legalized sports wagering Those visiting California, Texas, or Georgia will have fewer ways to grab a piece of the action, as these states have not yet
legalized sports betting. Japanese and Swiss supporters who want to bet will find life especially restrictive as almost all of their teams’ group-stage matches will be played in these states. California – Between its two host cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Golden State is expected to attract nearly half a million visitors from around the world 9 generating an anticipated billion dollars or more in economic benefit for the state. Unfortunately, Californians will not benefit from sports wagering on the World Cup as there are no legal, regulated sportsbooks meaning no tax receipts will be generated. California last attempted to legalize retail and online sports wagering in November 2022, but voters overwhelming rejected the two propositions on the ballot, leaving the United States' most populous state without an outlet for legalized sports wagering. Texas – Like California, Texas is home to two host cities for the 2026 World Cup – Dallas and Houston. Also like California, the United States' second most populated state also prohibits sports wagering of any kind. Since the fall of PASPA, several bills to legalize sport wagering have been introduced but have ultimately failed in the Texas legislature. Between Dallas and Houston, sixteen matches will be played in the Lone Star State, but the many thousands of expected visitors will be disappointed if they are looking for legal ways to place a sports wager. Georgia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches this summer, but visitors will not be able to place wagers as there is no commercial gaming in the state at all, other than its lottery. The Georgia legislature has attempted to legalize sports wagering by attaching it to the state’s lottery, but efforts have stalled.
US states with limited legalized sports wagering Visitors to Florida or Washington will be able to place wagers
6 https://gaming.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/01/monthly-mobile-sports-wagering-report-statewide.pdf 7 https://nynjfwc26.com/press-releases/3-billion-in-economic-impact/ 8 https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/world-cup/ 9 https://business.ca.gov/california-hosts-super-bowl-lx-and-other-upcoming-events-setting-gold-standard-for-sports-and-bringing-18-billion- in-economic-benefits/
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IMGL MAGAZINE | MARCH 2026
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