Betting on the World Cup in America: a US Sportsbook Overview

The 2026 World Cup has arrived in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and plenty of UK supporters will be making the journey to follow their team.

If you're of legal age and thinking about placing a bet in person while you're out there, it helps to know that things work differently across the Atlantic. Here's a clear guide to what to expect.

First, the app stays home

Worth being upfront about this one. Our US mobile sportsbook is built for US residents, so signing up needs a US address, a US phone number and a partial Social Security number. If you're visiting from the UK, that means you can't fully bet through the app while you're there. The same goes for anyone in a state where online betting isn't legal.

What you can do is bet in person at a licensed US casino sportsbook. There are Bally's venues dotted across the country, and a few sit within reach of the host stadiums. Here's how the in-person side of things compares to home.

How a US sportsbook differs from those in the UK

The basics will feel familiar, but plenty of the detail is different. Knowing it in advance saves any head-scratching at the counter.

The legal age is 21

This is the big one for visitors. The minimum gambling age across the relevant US states is 21, not 18 as it is in the UK, and it applies to stepping onto the gaming floor as well as placing a bet.

The reason for that is that land-based casinos serve alcohol on the gaming floor, so the gambling age is aligned with the US legal drinking age of 21.

Bring your passport

As an overseas visitor, a passport is the most reliable ID. Venues have to verify your age, so it's worth having on you even if you're confident you look the part.

The odds may look unfamiliar at first

US sportsbooks use the American moneyline format rather than fractional or decimal odds.

The odds are built around the number 100. A plus figure shows the profit you'd make on a winning £100 bet, so +100 returns £100 profit. A minus figure shows how much you'd need to wager to make £100 profit, so -200 means staking £200 to win £100.

The implied probability is the same; only the presentation changes, and it clicks quickly once you've seen a few.

The vocabulary changes too

A betting shop – or bookmaker – is a "sportsbook". An accumulator is a "parlay". A handicap is a "point spread", the straight win market is the "moneyline" and your specials and side bets are "props". And yes, it's listed as "soccer" on the board.

Markets can differ

Some bets you'd expect at home may be presented differently or not offered at all, and there'll be a few you won't have seen before. Check what's available at the venue rather than assuming it mirrors a UK sportsbook.

It's dollars at the desk

Bets are placed in US dollars, and accepted payment methods vary by venue, so check on arrival.

Tax can apply to winnings

Unlike the UK, where winnings aren't taxed, the US may tax gambling winnings, and the rules differ by state. This is general information rather than financial or legal advice, so check the current position before you travel.

How you actually place a bet

You can bet at a staffed counter, where you give the cashier your selection and stake, or at a self-service kiosk. Either way, hold onto the printed ticket, as you'll usually need it to collect any winnings.

Inside a US Casino

A few things set a US venue apart from a typical UK one. The dress code is far more relaxed: where UK casinos often expect smart-casual, US venues are far easier-going, with suits and t-shirts equally welcome, bar the odd stricter establishment in Las Vegas.

They're generally much bigger too, with many well beyond 100,000 square feet compared with the smaller UK norm, which means plenty of screens showing live sport and seating to settle in and watch.

Staff are on hand throughout, so if a market or a piece of terminology isn't clear, it's worth asking before you place a bet.

Bally's venues near the World Cup action

If you're heading to specific games, some of our venues are within striking distance of the host stadiums. The distances below are to the stadium itself, not the wider host city, which makes a real difference in places like Boston.

New England is the pick of the bunch for home nation supporters. Both our Rhode Island venues are a short hop from Gillette Stadium, where England face Ghana and Scotland play more than once. Over in the Mid-Atlantic, Atlantic City is a sensible base for the New York & New Jersey fixtures, with the final among them.

Wherever else the trip takes you

Not every journey follows the fixture list. If you're seeing more of the country, several Bally's venues make a handy stop along the way.

Staying on this side of the Atlantic?

No time difference, no jet lag, no problem. If you're following the World Cup from home, Bally's Newcastle sits right in the city at The Gate on Newgate Street.

With 44 screens showing live sport, dedicated viewing areas and giant screens, plus an American diner-style menu served late into the night, live entertainment, free parking and 24-hour opening, it's a great spot to catch the games.

Responsible gambling

Betting should always be about entertainment, never a way to make money. A few things worth keeping in mind if you’re considering betting on the World Cup:

• Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Only bet what you can comfortably afford to lose.

• Don't chase losses. Trying to win back what you've lost tends to make things worse.

• Take regular breaks and don't let betting get in the way of the rest of your trip.

• Never bet under the influence or when you're feeling low.

• Know the age limit: 21+ in the relevant US states, 18+ in the UK.

If you're ever concerned about your gambling, or someone else's, free and confidential support is available. In the UK, contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 or visit GambleAware.org. In the US, the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline is on 1-800-GAMBLER.

In the mood for more? Head over to the Bally Bet blog for all of our latest sports betting guides, explainers and overviews.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.