Germany’s regulated sports betting sector is anticipating a major surge in wagering activity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with industry estimates placing total bets at close to €1bn. However, trade bodies warn that a substantial share of that turnover is likely to bypass licensed operators and flow into the illegal market.
The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) said the tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the most significant event of the year for the country’s betting industry. It expects between €600m and €700m of total wagers to be placed with licensed operators, while a further €300m to €400m could end up with unregulated platforms.
World Cup Drives Peak Betting Demand
DSWV President Mathias Dahms said major international competitions typically generate betting levels comparable to an additional month of industry revenue. He highlighted the added impact of Germany’s participation on betting volumes.
“Games involving German teams, in particular, traditionally generate a high volume of betting activity. As both a fan and a representative of the sports betting industry, I therefore hope that the German national team stays in the tournament as long as possible,” Dahms said.
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams and more matches than previous editions, is also expected to increase overall wagering activity across the tournament period.
Illegal Market Remains Key Issue
The association said Germany continues to face a persistent black market challenge. Dahms said the data highlights structural weaknesses in enforcement and regulation.
“This shows that we still have a significant problem with the black market,” he said.
Industry estimates suggest around one-third of players engage with illegal services to some extent. The DSWV also cited GGL data showing black market revenue has recently grown faster than the regulated sector.
The association argues that strict product restrictions, including limits on certain in-play bets, push consumers toward offshore operators.
Regulation, Enforcement and Outlook
The regulator GGL has reported a higher channelisation rate than industry estimates and continues to focus on enforcement, data sharing and cross-border cooperation with European authorities.
Germany is due to review its Interstate Gambling Treaty by the end of 2026, with illegal market size expected to remain central to policy discussions.
World Cup Seen as Risk and Opportunity
While concerns persist over unlicensed betting activity, the DSWV said major tournaments can also help steer players toward regulated operators.
“Tournaments like the World Cup also offer an opportunity to bring players back into the legal market,” Dahms said.
The association reiterated that licensed operators provide payment security and player protection systems, including tools designed to detect suspicious betting patterns. It also urged consumers to use only state-approved providers listed on the regulator’s official whitelist.
“The sports betting market is more securely regulated today than ever before—but this protection only applies within the legal framework,” Dahms said. “That is why we strongly recommend that players place their World Cup bets exclusively with legal, state-licensed providers.”
Source:
“The DSWV expects nearly one billion euros in bets for the 2026 World Cup”, dswv.de, Jun 4, 2026
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