The upcoming 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest ever, with 48 nations participating. Over 39 days, there will be 104 matches, offering ample opportunities for sports bettors to place their bets. Esoccer, on the other hand, is already gaining traction with its round-the-clock gambling options.
Kambi, a leading betting service provider, recently released its esoccer report for 2026. According to the report, esoccer bettors are placing six times more wagers than non-esoccer bettors, making it the fourth most popular sport for betting, surpassing esports, tennis, and football.
Niclas Sundell, Kambi’s VP of Esports, highlighted the rapid growth of esoccer in the sports betting industry, stating, “It has evolved from a niche offering to a significant revenue driver for sportsbooks.”
Esoccer Surpasses Esports
In the previous year, only soccer, horse racing, and basketball had more bets placed than esoccer. Esoccer now attracts more bets than prominent soccer leagues like Serie A in Italy and La Liga in Spain.
While esports was once in the top five, it has now been displaced by esoccer. The surge in bets on virtual games is mainly driven by soccer enthusiasts seeking more betting opportunities. Interestingly, 92% of those who bet on esoccer also placed bets on real soccer matches.
Compared to esports, the crossover between esoccer and traditional sports betting is more pronounced. In Latin America, only 5% of gamblers who bet on either esports or esoccer placed bets on both, with a vast majority (90%) opting for esoccer only. Europe saw a higher crossover at 22%, while other regions mirrored the Latin American trend.
Kambi’s analysis indicates that esoccer has a distinct base of bettors, independent of other esports, solidifying its position as a core betting vertical rather than just an entry point to esports.
Continuous Action Drives Betting
Kambi now offers over 7,000 esoccer matches weekly to sportsbooks, ensuring a constant stream of betting options to keep users engaged on their platform.
Sportsbooks have faced criticism for potentially promoting problem gambling by expanding live event markets. The Public Health Advisory Institute (PHAI) even filed a lawsuit against several major players in the industry earlier this year, citing concerns about the addictive nature of microbetting akin to casino gambling.
Sundell defended Kambi’s approach, emphasizing that the frequent matches lasting 8 to 12 minutes each offer continuous action to keep fans engaged, particularly during lulls in major league seasons.
As the World Cup approaches, there is an opportunity to attract new users to gambling platforms, with esoccer poised to retain these users post-tournament.
Sundell concluded, “Esoccer has carved out a unique space for sportsbooks, providing round-the-clock content that is becoming indispensable for their offerings.”