H2 Gambling Capital has published new market projections for the current World Cup, alongside regulatory developments in the UAE and Finland. The data outlines global wagering estimates, a leadership change at the UAE gaming authority, and license applicant figures for the Nordic market.
World Cup Wagering Projections
The firm estimates $60 billion will be wagered through regulated sportsbooks worldwide, with separate projections provided for Brazil. The United States accounts for $2.9 billion of that total, while Mexico follows at $2.5 billion. The tournament now features 104 matches, which introduces margin uncertainty for operators. Companies are treating the event primarily as a customer acquisition channel rather than a direct revenue generator.Regulatory and Market Updates
In the UAE, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority appointed Ciarán Carruthers as chief executive, succeeding Kevin Mullally, who departed in November of last year. Meanwhile, Finland has received a high volume of license applications ahead of its market launch. H2 Gambling Capital projects the licensed online segment will reach $1.4 to $1.5 billion by 2028, rising from the current $275 million. The firm also noted ongoing discussions regarding European Commission levy proposals and the role of AI-scraped data in policy development.The 2022 tournament served as the baseline for the current projections, with the new figures representing a 71% rise in global betting volume. Carruthers previously held leadership positions at Galaxy, Sands China, and Wynn Macau, and recently managed anti-money laundering and responsible gambling remediation for Crown Resorts in Australia.