A new study by Jumio finds that growing interest in online sports betting ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is increasing concerns about underage gambling in Mexico. The findings highlight mounting pressure on betting operators and technology providers to strengthen age and identity verification processes.
Online sports betting is expected to play a significant role during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, particularly in Mexico, where consumer participation is projected to outpace other surveyed markets. At the same time, concerns about minors accessing betting platforms are intensifying, according to new research from Jumio.
The findings emerge as betting activity is expected to increase throughout the World Cup, creating additional scrutiny around age verification and digital identity controls. “With the growth of online sports betting, operators have a clear responsibility to prevent minors from accessing their platforms, not simply react when something goes wrong,” says Samer Atassi, Vice President for Latin America, Jumio. “That means implementing identity and age verification layers designed to provide real protection while allowing legitimate adults to access services without friction. In online betting, the operators that will lead are those that view verification as a fundamental component rather than another compliance requirement.”
The research comes from the 2026 Jumio Online Identity Study, the fifth annual global consumer survey conducted by Jumio. The study surveyed 8,003 adults across Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore between April 14 and 27, 2026. The research was conducted by Censuswide, which follows ESOMAR principles and is a member of both the Market Research Society and the British Polling Council.
According to the study, 74% of Mexican consumers are concerned about minors using sports betting applications during the World Cup. Furthermore, 80% believe that preventing underage gambling is the responsibility of betting platforms and their technology providers. Only 6% disagree that preventing access by minors should be a critical priority for the online gaming industry.
These concerns coincide with expectations of heightened betting activity throughout the tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and is expected to attract more than 7 million spectators across 104 matches, according to information cited by Jumio.
As digital engagement expands around the tournament, operators are expected to manage higher transaction volumes, increased account registrations, and greater regulatory scrutiny regarding customer verification procedures.
Mexico Betting Boom, Rising Risks
The study found that one-third of adults globally plan to participate in sports betting as an important part of their World Cup experience. Among surveyed countries, Mexico recorded the highest intention to place bets, with 43% of respondents indicating plans to participate. The United Kingdom followed at 33%, Singapore at 29%, and the United States at 26%.
Consumer behavior data suggests that betting is becoming increasingly integrated into the fan experience. Nearly half of Mexican respondents, 49%, say that betting will be an important part of how they intend to enjoy the tournament. The same percentage expects to socialize around betting activities during World Cup matches.
The findings also indicate a strong preference for digital betting channels. Sixty-one percent of Mexican respondents say they would prefer online platforms when placing bets, while 22% expect to engage with an online gaming platform for the first time during the tournament.
Existing adoption levels are also substantial. According to the survey, 44% of respondents in Mexico already have a sports betting account that they plan to use during the World Cup. Additionally, 40% expect to switch between multiple betting platforms while following matches.
For betting operators, these trends may create operational challenges beyond customer acquisition. Higher volumes of registrations and account activity could place additional pressure on onboarding systems, increasing the importance of robust identity verification measures capable of distinguishing legitimate users from underage applicants.
The findings underscore a broader industry challenge as digital betting markets expand globally. While consumer demand continues to rise around major sporting events, operators face growing expectations from regulators, consumers, and technology partners to implement effective safeguards that prevent unauthorized access.
According to Jumio, identity verification technologies, including age verification, biometric authentication, AI, and automated risk assessment tools, are becoming increasingly important components of responsible gaming frameworks. These capabilities may help operators balance compliance requirements with customer experience objectives as betting activity accelerates during large-scale international events.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup advances, the study suggests that consumer expectations extend beyond entertainment and platform accessibility. For many users, trust in online betting services will increasingly depend on the ability of operators to demonstrate effective controls that protect minors while maintaining secure and compliant digital experiences.
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