The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked a turning point for Mexico’s betting industry. The country’s status as a co-host not only fueled fans’ passion in the stadiums, but also acted as a powerful catalyst for the sports betting market, doubling the number of users on digital platforms and consolidating Mexico as one of the most dynamic and attractive hubs for global operators.
According to Miguel Ángel Ochoa, president of the Association of Permit Holders and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Betting Industry (AIEJA), Mexico emerged as one of the markets “with the greatest dynamism for the industry internationally,” as the tournament represented “a turning point for the sector, driven by the growth of online betting, real-time transaction processing and the incorporation of new users to platforms.”
During the tournament’s busiest days, co-hosted by the United States and Canada, platforms recorded daily demand peaks 30% to 40% above normal activity, while their customer base doubled.
Against this backdrop, the challenge for casino operators is no longer simply to “handle the increase in transactions during major sporting events, but to retain the new users who arrived during the World Cup,” Ochoa explained in an editorial published by news agency ANSA.
The executive also said that Mexico ranked “among the most active markets for international platforms” during the tournament, driven by expectations surrounding the Mexican national team, which reached the fifth match, as well as “the sustained interest of fans throughout the competition,” with high levels of activity during the final stages.
Ochoa also said that one of the main changes observed during this edition of the World Cup was the growth of so-called “live betting,” meaning wagers placed while a match is underway.
Another development was the introduction of hydration breaks, which “opened new windows” for users to place bets during matches and increased live betting activity by between 60% and 150%.
It is worth noting that Mexico has 423 casinos operating across 30 of the country’s 32 states, through 38 companies that have obtained concessions, as well as around 80 online betting platforms.
Finally, Ochoa noted that the gaming sector is one of the most dynamic areas of the Mexican economy, as it generates around 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes approximately 0.5% of GDP, according to AIEJA figures. However, more than 60% of online bets placed by Mexicans are made through platforms operating from abroad.
