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Paysafe research: First-time and casual betting to surge for 2026 World Cup

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60% of World Cup fans plan to bet online, marking a major revenue opportunity for online sportsbooks with optimized payments tailored to local preferences

19% of global consumers with an interest in following this summer’s 2026 World Cup plan to place their first ever online bet during the soccer tournament, according to research issued today by leading payments platform Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE). The company’s All the Ways Players Pay: World Cup 2026 report also indicates that brand reputation and offering flexible, reliable payments will be crucial for online sportsbooks when converting and retaining new and experienced bettors alike.

With the World Cup returning to North America for the first time since 1994, there is strong appetite for online wagering in the host countries of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada as well as in Europe and Latin America, with 60% of global fans planning to bet. Across U.S. states where sports betting is legal, 62% intend to wager, with 29% placing their first ever bet. The surge is expected to be even stronger in Mexico, with 68% planning to wager, including 26% for the first time. And even in Canada, 46% of Ontarians expect to wager, with 9% newbies.

There’s equally robust interest internationally, especially in the recently regulated markets of Brazil (66% plan to bet) and, above all, Peru (85%). Appetite is also high in mature European jurisdictions like Italy (64%) and the U.K. (60%).

Operators can best position their sportsbook to convert bettors by focusing on their brand reputation and payment stacks. When players select a sportsbook for the World Cup, brand trust is paramount (prioritized by 38%), but rapid payouts (a factor for 33%) trump everything else, including odds, promos, UX, and sports markets/events. And in some markets like Peru, bettors consider cashing-out quickly (38%) even more important than a sportsbook’s reputation (34%).

Other payment factors are almost as crucial in sportsbook choice, with 24% of global bettors prioritizing rapid deposits and 22% the availability of preferred payment methods.

Ahead of the World Cup, there’s a strong impetus for operators to maximize payment choice. Although debit cards are the top preference globally (a preference for 39%) – trending even higher in markets that restrict credit cards like the U.K. (53%) and the U.S. state of Massachusetts (56%) – alternative payment methods (APMs) are highly popular.

While some APMs like eCash remain relatively niche (a preference for 17%), 27% of players prefer pay-by-bank or other bank transfer options and 25% favor digital wallets. Wallets are today the top choice of all in some markets like Peru (a preference for 36%).

Payment localization appears key across all markets, with 19% favoring a local payment method (LPM). This trends higher in markets with strong LPM brands like Brazil, where the central bank’s Pix instant-payment solution will be bettors’ go-to choice (48%).

With the tournament lasting five weeks, it’s essential for operators to keep players onboard – and a reliable payment experience is crucial. 88% of global bettors would switch sportsbooks after a bad experience, with U.S. and Ecuadorean players particularly sensitive (both 93%).

Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe, commented: “With the regulated online betting space encompassing new North and Latin American markets, the 2026 World Cup will be the biggest tournament to date for online sportsbooks, offering an unparalleled opportunity to win new customers and strengthen existing relationships. Our latest research indicates that to optimize player acquisition and retention, operators need to enhance their cashiers, as payments will be of paramount importance for the tournament’s duration – and beyond.”

 

The post Paysafe research: First-time and casual betting to surge for 2026 World Cup appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Betano unveiled as Tournament Supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026™ for Europe and South America

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Betano has been named as an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ for Europe and South America thanks to a new partnership between FIFA and Kaizen Gaming’s lead brand. The international showpiece tournament taking place across Canada, Mexico and the United States from Thursday, 11 June until Sunday, 19 July is set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history, as for the first time ever it will feature 48 teams contending for the coveted crown.

This is the third time that Betano and FIFA have joined forces. Four years ago, Betano became the first sports betting operator to ever partner with FIFA when it joined as an Official Regional Supporter of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ for Europe. More recently, Betano was announced as an Official Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

“We are delighted to welcome Betano among the Tournament Supporters of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said FIFA’s Chief Business Officer, Romy Gai.

“Since we first partnered with Betano four years ago, we have seen a genuine commitment to sporting integrity, bringing fans closer to our game and finding new, engaging ways to entertain them. We share these objectives and are glad to have this powerhouse by our side as we look forward to uniting the world through football once again in North America and beyond,” he stated.

“Partnering with FIFA for the third time is a proud milestone for everyone at Kaizen Gaming and a clear reflection of our global evolution,” added George Daskalakis, co-founder and CEO of Kaizen Gaming.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the ultimate intersection of sport and entertainment, reaching billions of people. For us, it is the perfect stage to solidify Betano as the most trusted brand globally for responsible online sports betting. Our focus now is to deliver a thrilling, innovative and secure experience for fans throughout the tournament.”

Owned by Kaizen Gaming, which was recognised in both 2024 and 2025 as Operator of the Year at the EGR Operator Awards and Operator of the Year – Large at the SBC Awards, Betano will provide fans with a unique and exclusive opportunity to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup and to engage responsibly with the tournament’s matches. Fans will benefit from a range of responsible gaming tools, enabling them to set financial limits, manage their time and access specialised customer support 24/7. Betano is also organising a number of physical and digital fan engagement activations in Europe and South America to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The post Betano unveiled as Tournament Supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026™ for Europe and South America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Gaming Corps extends bet365 partnership into Brazil

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Gaming Corps – a publicly-listed game development company based in Sweden, has extended its partnership with bet365, taking its games live with the operator in Brazil as part of its continued expansion across regulated markets.

The launch builds on Gaming Corps’ existing relationship with bet365 and signals another important step in the studio’s wider Latin American growth strategy. The rollout has been delivered through Gaming Corps’ distribution partnership with Light & Wonder, supporting efficient market access through one of the industry’s most established content networks.

bet365 players in Brazil will gain access to Gaming Corps’ full line up, including Penalty Champion, the instant win game that puts players in a sudden-death penalty shootout where each successful strike increases the potential return. The launch also includes popular franchise titles such as 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean, while Brazilian players can also look forward to Gaming Corps’ three-game football suite arriving in time for the World Cup.

With a portfolio that stretches beyond standard slot content, Gaming Corps has focused on building games with more variety in both format and play style. Alongside proprietary concepts such as Smash4Cash™, A-MAZE-CADES™ and X-MY-WAY™, the studio also develops Mine, Table, Multiplier and Plinko games, helping operators introduce a wider mix of experiences for different types of players.

 

Juha Kauppinen, CEO at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 into Brazil is an exciting development for Gaming Corps and an important next step in how we grow with major operators across regulated markets. bet365 is one of the most recognised names in online gaming and expanding our reach with them into a market like Brazil underlines both the strength of the relationship and the wider appeal of our portfolio.”

 

A bet365 spokesperson, added: “Gaming Corps has established a clear identity within the market through a mix of creative game concepts and distinctive mechanics. We are delighted to expand our partnership with the studio into Brazil and look forward to making this content available to our players in the market.”

The post Gaming Corps extends bet365 partnership into Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Ahmed Baker Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games

Incentive Games Secures Interim Pennsylvania Gaming Licence

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Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, has been granted an interim gaming licence in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The approval, effective immediately, enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money gaming products to licensed operators within the state.

This builds on Incentive Games’ earlier licensing success in Michigan in 2025 and continues its expansion across regulated North American markets. The Pennsylvania approval further reinforces the company’s focus on regulatory excellence, operational transparency and secure, responsible gaming practices as it scales its presence in the region.

Achieving a Pennsylvania licence opens access to one of the most established and competitive iGaming markets in the United States, where stringent standards govern compliance and player protection. Incentive Games’ approval reflects its ability to meet these expectations across multiple jurisdictions.

Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Being granted an interim licence in Pennsylvania is a huge achievement for our business and a strong endorsement of our regulatory approach. It strengthens our position in North America and supports our ambition to grow through trusted partnerships in regulated markets. We look forward to working with operators in Pennsylvania to deliver high-quality real-money gaming experiences to their players.”

The post Incentive Games Secures Interim Pennsylvania Gaming Licence appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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