From billion-dollar World Cup bets to NBA Finals props that go down to the wire, the global betting explosion is still picking up steam. But what’s behind this surge, and why are basketball fans jumping in with both feet?
Sports betting used to be a guy with a cap leaning over an off-track counter, squinting at lines written in chalk. Now? People just grab their phones at halftime and hammer out a same-game parlay before the next play starts. It’s a totally different world, and the numbers really back that up.
The market is exploding, and Fast
According to The Business Research Company, the global sports betting market grew from $119.26 billion in 2025 to $125.12 billion in 2026. Some forecasts say it’ll more than double by 2035. That’s not a gentle climb, that’s a full-on sprint.
Half of the reason is that more places are legalizing bets, but the other half is just how easy it’s all become. A few taps, pick your game and lock in a bet. No lines, no ticket windows and no fuss.
What’s actually fueling this growth
The biggest reason is simple: Convenience. Mobile betting now makes up about 70% of all user engagement worldwide. Live and in-play wagers account for almost 45% of all bets, according to Global Growth Insights. People aren’t just betting before games anymore. They’re betting on the next play, next corner kick and next free throw. That kind of in-the-moment action keeps everyone glued to the game, not just waiting for the final score.
Betting platforms are way more packed now too. Just look at Betway. There’s sports, casino, live casino, bingo, lotto and poker all in one place. You can check Premier League odds for the weekend, jump onto a live blackjack table during halftime and grab a lotto ticket before calling it a day. One-stop shops like this, mixed with promos and live betting, are exactly what keep casual bettors coming back instead of wandering off to another site.
Soccer still rules the world, and this summer proved it
It’s no surprise soccer’s at the top of the global betting scene. It’s the top sport in the world, and this year’s 2026 World Cup, spread out across North America, has been proof. Sportsbooks report the action is “exceeding expectations”.
DraftKings says they’re “doubling” normal volume some days. Even crazier, prediction market Kalshi saw $1 billion in trading in a single day during the World Cup, a first according to ESPN. That number alone shows that soccer isn’t just the biggest sport with fans, it drives the whole betting world.
Basketball’s betting fanbase is just as passionate
Basketball might not catch soccer globally, but for Americans, the NBA is a religion. The just-finished 2025-26 season saw the New York Knicks take down the San Antonio Spurs in June, and betting was massive; spreads, props, live markets, etc., all through the playoffs.
National numbers back it up too. Americans legally wagered $166.94 billion on sports in 2025, which pushed sportsbook revenue to a record $16.96 billion, up 22.8% year over year, according to the American Gaming Association.
A global business
Sports betting has gone from a niche scene to a global business worth over $100 billion, and it’s still getting bigger. With mobile apps, live betting and platforms bundling every kind of gambling option, new players are always coming in.
Soccer iss still the undisputed champ, thanks to blockbuster events like the World Cup, but basketball fans have carved out their own intense corner, especially when it’s time for the Finals like the Knicks’ run. Wherever that next big game is, you can bet someone, somewhere, has money riding on it.
