App Based Betting Soars 7/27/26

Summary

The FIFA World Cup drove record betting volumes and user growth for gambling operators and prediction markets like Kalshi, especially from states where sports betting remains illegal. Regulatory battles loom as Congress and courts may decide oversight. The upcoming NFL season, with high-profile matchups featuring teams from California and Texas, is expected to be another massive catalyst for prediction markets.

• World Cup called biggest betting event in U.S. history, equivalent to 10 Super Bowls
• Prediction market Kalshi added 3 million new users in one month
• States without legal sports betting, like Texas, California, and Utah, are driving prediction market growth
• Regulatory fight over whether prediction markets are gambling may be settled by Congress or Supreme Court
• NFL season kickoff seen as tailor-made for prediction markets, with California and Texas teams featured prominently