Prediction Markets Draw Millennials Before 2026 World Cup

A SEON survey of 588 U.S. adults found 19% plan to use prediction markets during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Licensed sportsbooks were the most-cited planned channel at 29%, followed by prediction markets (19%), social casinos (17%), crypto-based platforms (8%) and offshore sites (8%).

Millennials showed stronger interest in prediction markets: 36% of Millennial respondents said they intend to use them, nearly matching the 38% who selected licensed sportsbooks. Overall, 56% of respondents plan to watch the tournament and about 43% said they are at least somewhat likely to place a bet.

Age groups differed on betting habits: 24% of Millennials reported they do not bet, compared with 28% of Gen Z, 56% of Gen X and 70% of Baby Boomers.

“Prediction markets let consumers put money behind what they think they know,” George Pace, Lead Product Marketing Manager for Betting and Gaming at SEON, explained. “The tournament generates a continuous news cycle over weeks, with hundreds of outcomes to take a position on.”

Security concerns were common. Forty-five percent of respondents said they were not confident betting platforms could protect personal and financial information during a major event. The survey found 22% admitted to creating multiple betting accounts to access promotions, 20% had clicked a betting link from social media or a messaging app, and 17% had used another person’s account.

The survey cited a recent college sports case in which a player was ruled ineligible after wagering through accounts registered to other individuals. Respondents also reported seeing World Cup-related scams: 24% had seen social media scams linked to betting, 20% encountered fake ticket websites and 18% saw fake betting apps or websites.

Pace warned operators face a challenge during events: they must deliver a fast, low-friction experience while running strong security as transaction volumes surge. He noted fraudsters can move between platforms with different onboarding standards, which complicates detection when many new users arrive.

SEON noted prediction markets allow fans to take positions on many short-term outcomes across a long tournament and linked the uptake to wider growth in legal sports betting and increased use of apps for financial activity.