A new survey by Jumio has revealed growing concerns among Singaporeans about minors accessing sports betting platforms ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as interest in online wagering continues to rise.
The findings highlight increasing pressure on betting operators and technology providers to strengthen age verification measures as major sporting events drive higher betting activity.
Strong Concern Over Youth Access
The survey polled more than 8,000 adults across Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
Globally, 63% of respondents said they were concerned about minors using sports betting apps. In Singapore, that figure rose to 76%, making it one of the most concerned markets surveyed.
Respondents also placed responsibility on operators and technology providers to address the issue. While 74% of participants worldwide said online platforms should prevent underage gambling, support was even stronger in Singapore at 82%.
Only 4% of Singaporean respondents disagreed that preventing underage betting should be a key priority for the industry.
World Cup Expected to Drive Betting Activity
The survey found that sports betting is likely to play a significant role in how many fans engage with the upcoming World Cup.
Globally, one in three adults said they plan to place sports bets during the tournament. Singapore recorded a betting participation rate of 29%, behind Mexico and the United Kingdom but ahead of the United States.
Among Singaporean respondents, 48% said betting would form an important part of their World Cup experience. The same percentage also indicated they planned to socialize around their betting activities during the tournament.
Online Platforms Face Growing Demand
Digital betting channels continue to dominate consumer preferences.
More than half of respondents worldwide said they prefer placing bets online, while 51% of Singaporean participants reported the same preference.
The World Cup is also expected to attract new users. Around 19% of Singapore respondents said they anticipate using an online betting platform for the first time during the tournament.
In addition, 42% already hold sports betting accounts, while 27% expect to use multiple platforms when wagering on matches.
Verification Becomes Critical
Jumio warned that increased betting activity and new account registrations could place additional pressure on operators to maintain effective age and identity verification processes.
The company argued that operators should adopt proactive safeguards rather than wait for compliance issues to emerge.
Bala Kumar, President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Jumio, said successful operators will be those that implement strong age and identity verification systems while ensuring a smooth experience for legitimate adult users.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the survey underscores the growing importance of balancing user engagement with robust player protection measures, particularly for younger audiences.
