The world is going nuts for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Just in the U.S., more than 20.5 million Americans are expected to bet about $1.8 billion on the final game, according to the American Gaming Association’s latest survey.
“As the first World Cup with widespread availability of legal sports betting, this will certainly be the most bet-on soccer event ever in the U.S.,” said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. “With more than half of American adults having access to legal betting options in their home market, legal sports betting will deepen American fan engagement in the most-watched sporting event in the world.”
Additional survey results include:
- Three in 10 (29%) American adults who plan to watch the World Cup intend to wager on the tournament.
- Gen Z (11%) and Millennial (14%) adults are more interested in betting on the world cup than Gen X (8%) and Baby Boomers (2%).
- If they were given $50 to bet, most Americans would put their money on the United States (24%) to win the World Cup, followed by Brazil (19%), Argentina (17%) and Germany (10%).
This could be substantial news for companies such as Flutter Entertainment (PDYPF), which owns FanDuel, MGM Resorts (MGM), Wynn Resorts (WYNN), and Penn National Gaming (PENN). Even sports betting ETFs could get in on the action.
Look at the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (BETZ).
With an expense ratio of 0.75%, the ETF offers exposure to sports betting and iGaming. It also offers exposure to a potential $37 billion U.S. sports betting total addressable market by 2033. Some of the fund’s top holdings include DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment, Genius Sports Ltd., Penn Entertainment, and Rush Street Interactive to name a few.
Or, look at the VanEck Gaming ETF (BJK).
With an expense ratio of 0.62%, the ETF offers exposure to companies involved in casinos and casino hotels, sports betting, lottery services, gaming services, gaming technology and gaming equipment. Some of its top holdings include DraftKings Inc., Entain PLC, Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Entertainment, and MGM Resorts to name a few.