In what is likely a precursor of more complete results, OpenBet has released data that shows that its sportsbook clients recorded a record handle of $2 billion for the recently concluded 2022 World Cup. This represents a gain of 13% over the previous 2018 competition.
The OpenBet report also revealed that over 12 million bets were placed on the U.S. soccer team's World Cup matches and that the USA vs. England game was responsible for more than half of these wagers.
"Alongside a strong performance in Europe, the growth we have seen in North American markets demonstrates our ability to cater to these rapidly regulating jurisdictions," said OpenBet CEO Jordan Levin. "[...] This also puts us in good stead for the 2026 World Cup, set to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico."
The American squad, which was eliminated in the Round of 16 following a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, attracted a handle of $100 million from OpenBet operator clients. This is a figure likely to more than double when additional handle figures are reported in January.
The increased total handle of $2 billion is attributable in part to the introduction of legal sports betting in the U.S., a process set in motion by the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision that has led to the spectacular growth of the regulated iGaming industry in the U.S.
Higher level of engagement boosts handle
OpenBet also reported that its clients from online betting sites processed over 200 million bets across all channels at this year’s World Cup OpenBet and that European sportsbooks saw an engagement level increase of 22%.
Canada, one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, recorded a 21% increase for the same metric. Figures regarding gains in U.S. customer engagement were not released.
"This year’s World Cup has been a record-breaker in terms of engagement, and we are thrilled to have provided operators and bettors with an experience to match the sporting spectacle displayed in Qatar," said Levin.
The OpenBet figures regarding elevated customer engagement are supported by the record global viewing figures reported by FIFA. The world soccer governing authority estimated that more than 1.5 billion people tuned in to the Argentina-France final, representing approximately 20% of the world’s population and the highest such figure ever reported.
In addition, a November AGA survey reported that 9.8 million American adults — representing 48% of all U.S. bettors — intended to place their World Cup bets via online sports betting sites.
In-play wagering leads betting action
One of the most significant highlights from the OpenBet report came in regard to in-play vs. pre-match wagering. In-play betting activity accounted for one-third of all wagering action and almost half of the $100 million in total stakes.
The massive back-and-forth swings in the final, which Argentina won in a dramatic penalty shootout, are certain to have boosted the level of in-play wagering activity far beyond anything seen previously during the tournament.
This year's World Cup also marked the first time that parlay betting — which significantly increases sportsbook hold rates and generates the largest segment of profits — was available during the World Cup.
When figures related to the share of parlay betting in overall World Cup wagering are released, the major U.S. sportsbooks, in particular, should see a sizeable increase in net earnings for the fourth quarter due to such betting action.
Final attracts 7.9 million U.S. wagers
According to additional figures provided by geolocation and fraud monitoring company GeoComply, the World Cup final resulted in 7.9 million betting transactions.
This makes the final the second most heavily wagered-upon event in the U.S. betting industry, ahead of both the NBA Finals and the March Madness championship game.
GeoComply also reported that the World Cup drew 1.7 million active bettors, slightly more than half the 3.1 million people who wagered on this past year's Super Bowl.
