Press Releases
Paysafe research: First-time and casual betting to surge for 2026 World Cup
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.
Asia
FeedConstruct and East Asia Super League Sign Multi-Year Exclusive Data and Streaming Agreement
FeedConstruct has secured the exclusive worldwide data and streaming betting rights to the East Asia Super League (EASL) under a landmark multi-year agreement. The deal takes immediate effect, covering the remaining final stages of the 2025/2026 season as well as full future campaigns.
EASL, widely regarded as the Champions League of professional men’s basketball in East Asia, features top-performing teams from leading leagues across Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and Macau S.A.R.
Through this partnership, FeedConstruct’s global network of partners will gain access to premium, exclusive coverage of EASL action. The agreement spans all international territories excluding Hong Kong, with coverage beginning right away as the 2025/2026 Quarterfinals tip off on March 18.
Narek Harutyunyan, CEO at FeedConstruct, commented: “Signing a multi-year agreement with EASL is an important step for FeedConstruct. East Asia is a fast-growing region for sports, with strong fan engagement and increasing demand for quality content. Through this partnership, we aim to provide our partners with reliable access to EASL competitions across our global network.”
EASL Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins added: “We are thrilled to join forces with FeedConstruct in this landmark partnership. This collaboration reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that EASL’s data reaches the world responsibly, accurately, and with the integrity our league demands. The demand for official, high-quality sports data continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, and we believe that aligning with a partner of FeedConstruct’s caliber and global reputation accelerates our mission to elevate EASL’s profile on a truly global scale. While we recognize the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the betting industry, we are committed to approaching this space thoughtfully and in full alignment with the standards and values of our league and its stakeholders. This is a partnership we are genuinely proud of.”
The agreement creates a direct bridge between East Asian basketball and the global iGaming ecosystem, enabling operators to tap into a highly engaged audience that has historically exceeded 100 million viewers.
This strategic move further strengthens FeedConstruct’s position as a leading provider of sports data, streaming, and technology solutions, reinforcing its role in connecting the worlds of sport and iGaming on a global scale.
The post FeedConstruct and East Asia Super League Sign Multi-Year Exclusive Data and Streaming Agreement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
23 Broadway
23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform
23 Broadway has secured $3 million in Seed funding to accelerate the next phase of its growth and launch a fully integrated AI-powered user acquisition financing platform.
The funding round was co-led by Betty and Will Ventures, with participation from 359 Capital, CEAS Investments, and Dave Bartman.
23 Broadway was integral in catapulting Betty to an 18% market share in Ontario through its world-class performance marketing team and proprietary AI system called Atlas.
Atlas determines the optimal cost of acquiring a customer and their predicted long-term value.
With this new funding, 23 Broadway will add non-dilutive capital to fund user acquisition to run alongside its existing performance marketing and technology capabilities into a single integrated solution.
Jordan Tuch, CEO of 23 Broadway, said: “23 Broadway is reimagining user acquisition financing by not only providing capital but deploying it through proprietary technology and performance marketing expertise. We’ve created a model that empowers businesses to scale faster without needing to build complex technology or marketing infrastructure themselves. The ability to use AI and execute bids based on a customer’s predicted lifetime value means we can deploy capital far more efficiently. That combination of predictive intelligence and funding creates a powerful growth engine for our partners.”
The underlying thesis is that platforms combining in-house technology and performance marketing expertise can offer a truly differentiated and durable user acquisition financing solution.
Growth-stage businesses benefit from access to dedicated capital for customer acquisition without equity dilution, while also being able to implement advanced marketing execution across platforms such as Google Ads and other major advertising ecosystems.
Funding will be allocated to develop Atlas further and enhance 23 Broadway’s predictive modelling capabilities. Another focus will be building new AI-driven models to help gaming companies strengthen retention marketing strategies. A final part will be to onboard additional partners seeking scalable user acquisition financing solutions.
The post 23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Conferences
Win Systems presents at GAT Expo Cartagena its new generation of games designed to captivate players
Win Systems, a leading provider of technology solutions for the gaming and entertainment industry, will be showcasing its latest innovations at the upcoming GAT Expo Cartagena, taking place in Cartagena de Indias on March 25–26. Visitors can find the company at booth A7, where it will present its newest electronic roulettes, slot machines, and game packs designed to elevate player engagement and enhance operator performance.
Highlighting the lineup is Alpha Wing X, a hybrid title that merges online-style gameplay with on-floor interaction. Featuring high multipliers and dynamic mechanics, it’s designed to appeal to both regular players and new audiences seeking a modern, engaging experience.
Win Systems will also feature Neo Link Mystical, a pack including Cardinal Gods and Monkey Legend. These five-reel slots offer unique mechanics and bonus features, creating fresh opportunities for players to win throughout each session.
Another key offering is Neo Link Dynasty, which comprises Little China and Golden Lion. Maintaining a five-reel structure, the pack introduces diverse wild mechanics and bonus functionalities to enrich gameplay and expand prize potential.
The company’s portfolio is further enhanced by Beaver Builders Link, set in a vibrant forest where a community of beavers guides players toward big prizes. With multiple bonus features and multipliers, including the ability to trigger three bonuses simultaneously, the game delivers fast-paced, high-reward rounds.
Rounding out the showcase is Money Duck Link Power Zones, which revisits the rubber duck universe across four themes: Splash, Pirate, 7’s & Fruits, and Bell’s n Fruits. Featuring bold visuals and interactive bonus mechanics, the game allows up to three bonuses to activate at once, offering highly dynamic gameplay with strong winning potential.
Through these launches, Win Systems continues to expand its content portfolio with innovative games that blend entertainment, eye-catching design, and engaging mechanics to drive gaming-floor performance.
Attendees of GAT Expo Cartagena are invited to visit booth A7 to experience these games firsthand and meet the Win Systems team, who will provide an in-depth look at the company’s latest solutions for the sector.
For more details about Win Systems and its technology offerings, visit www.winsysgroup.com.
The post Win Systems presents at GAT Expo Cartagena its new generation of games designed to captivate players appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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