World Cup Illegal Streams Fuel Unregulated Gambling, Report Finds

Illegal streaming during the FIFA World Cup reached unprecedented levels, with Gaming Compliance International (GCI) recording a staggering 174.3 billion illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus throughout the tournament across the globe.

GCI’s President, Ismail Vali, had predicted before the tournament that Spain would win the 2026 FIFA World Cup and that unregulated gambling would be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Both predictions turned out to be true, as Spain emerged victorious and the analysis uncovered a concerning trend linking illegal streaming and unregulated gambling.

GCI’s CEO, Matt Holt, addressed the issue, stating that illegal streaming has become a major problem for sports. He explained that illegal streaming competes for the same audiences and extracts value that should support rights holders, broadcasters, and the wider sports ecosystem. Holt also pointed out that 95% of qualifying illegal stream views included ads for unregulated gambling, highlighting how illegal streaming not only steals sports content but also lures players into illegal gambling.