FIFA World Cup illegal streams reach 174 billion views

Gaming Compliance International (GCI) reports that the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw 174.3 billion qualifying illegal stream views globally. A qualifying view is defined as a stream watched for at least 90 seconds. GCI found that 95% of these illegal streams carried advertisements for unregulated gambling operators, highlighting a significant link between pirate sports streaming and the black market gambling economy.

In the aftermath of the tournament, the betting industry is shifting focus toward customer retention. In South Africa, regulated operators such as 10bet, Hollywoodbets, YesPlay, ZARbet, SuperSportBet, and EasyBet are competing to maintain engagement outside of major football events. These brands utilize various strategies, including product breadth, local retail presence, and diverse gaming options, to retain users who became active during the World Cup.