Global sports betting trends and celebrity gambling in 2026

The year 2026 has seen significant activity in the global sports betting and celebrity gambling sectors. In the United States, the World Cup emerged as a massive betting event, with Hard Rock Bet comparing its scale to ten Super Bowls.

In the celebrity gambling sphere, UFC chief Dana White made headlines in September 2026 after winning a single $1 million baccarat hand at Park MGM in Las Vegas. This followed a history of high-stakes play, including a $1.2 million win at Fontainebleau Las Vegas in June 2025 and reported winnings of $26 million to $27 million from Caesars Palace in early 2024.

Horse racing continues to drive massive turnover globally. The Hong Kong Jockey Club recorded $18.30 billion in racing turnover for the 2025/26 season, a 3.2% increase. Additionally, the Melbourne Cup saw record betting of $172.7 million in 2025. The World Pool system, which facilitates shared global racing pools, saw turnover on races outside of Hong Kong rise by 20% to $1.19 billion across 57 race days in 2025.