The 2026 expanded FIFA World Cup, the first iteration of the tournament to feature 48 competing nations, has sparked a dramatic boom in sports betting activity across Jamaica, with two of the country’s leading betting operators reporting sharp growth in both new customers and wager values, according to statements from the companies’ top executives.
Adam Epstein, CEO of local betting firm Island Bet, revealed that the company has recorded a 200% jump in new customers signing up to place bets on World Cup matches, far outpacing pre-tournament projections. The expanded format, which welcomed multiple first-time World Cup qualifiers, has injected extra excitement into this year’s competition, driving engagement from both first-time bettors and long-time loyal patrons, who are increasingly placing larger stakes than in previous tournaments.
One of the biggest early upsets of the tournament – a 1-1 draw between four-time champions Spain and World Cup debutant Cabo Verde – has already produced one seven-figure winner: an Island Bet customer walked away with $1.2 million after correctly predicting the shock result. Epstein noted that Cabo Verde’s historic performance has captured the attention of Jamaican punters, who have increasingly placed wagers on underdog nations beyond the traditional tournament favorites. In addition to Cabo Verde, host nation the United States and other African sides have seen strong support from bettors, while perennial winners like Brazil remain the most popular picks to lift the 2026 trophy.
When it comes to wager sizes, Epstein confirmed that stakes range from as little as $20 for casual bettors testing the waters up to $250,000 for high-stakes bets on single matches. The CEO expects maximum bet values to climb even higher as the tournament progresses into the knockout rounds, when matches grow in stakes and star power. He added that Island Bet’s risk management team is fully prepared to handle any payout scenarios as the competition unfolds.
Stefan Miller, CEO of Jamaica’s Supreme Ventures Gaming Limited, echoed the positive growth trends, reporting that betting volume through the first eight days of the 2026 tournament was 40% higher than the corresponding period of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Miller noted that interest has already exceeded internal forecasts, with a notable influx of casual, first-time bettors joining long-time patrons in betting on matches. He projects that engagement will continue to rise as the tournament moves into the more high-stakes knockout phase.
Miller pointed out that sports betting has seen consistent double-digit annual growth in Jamaica since 2019, mirroring a global trend that makes it the fastest-growing segment of the betting industry. He attributes this sustained growth to shifting preferences among younger bettors, who view sports betting as a skill-based activity that requires knowledge of the game, historical context, and statistical analysis, rather than pure chance. Average spend per bettor has also risen 20% compared to the 2022 World Cup, with bets ranging from $100 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, split between high-volume avid fans and casual bettors who wager for entertainment while supporting star players or beloved national teams.
Both CEOs credit multiple factors for the booming engagement in 2026. First, the expanded 48-team format has created more underdog storylines and opportunities for surprise results, which draws in fans. Second, the global appeal of football, which unites fans across backgrounds during the quadrennial tournament, creates a shared excitement that drives betting. Finally, technological advancements have streamlined online betting, making it far more convenient for customers to place wagers from anywhere. Both operators have seen strong growth across both retail brick-and-mortar outlets and online betting platforms, with thousands of customers participating in 2026 World Cup betting through both channels.
To capitalize on the heightened interest, both companies have invested heavily in customer experiences tied to the tournament. Supreme Ventures has launched its Gold Rush marketing campaign, which offers weekly prizes and surprises, including three round-of-16 match tickets awarded to customers so far, and hosts public watch parties at Caymanas Park that will run through the tournament final. Island Bet, meanwhile, has partnered with Lucky Play to open a new fan-focused location at Port Henderson Plaza in Portmore, St Catherine, where customers can watch matches on a large screen while placing bets.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 and will conclude with the final on July 19, marking the largest expansion in the tournament’s 96-year history. In closing statements, both executives encouraged fans to enjoy the once-every-four-year event while reminding patrons to bet responsibly.