Singaporeans raise alarm over underage betting risks ahead of 2026 World Cup

New Jumio research shows that Singapore has the highest level of concern among surveyed markets about minors using sports betting apps during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as online wagering is expected to become a major part of tournament engagement.

Singaporeans are showing strong concern about the risk of minors accessing sports betting apps during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to new research from identity-verification company Jumio. The company’s 2026 Online Identity Study surveyed 8,003 adults across the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Mexico, and found that underage gambling is one of the main worries linked to the expected World Cup betting boom.

Globally, 63% of respondents said they worry about minors using sports betting apps during the tournament. Singapore recorded the highest concern among the four markets at 76%, ahead of Mexico at 74%, while the United States and the United Kingdom both stood at 50%. The findings suggest that Singaporean consumers are particularly sensitive to the risks created when major sports events drive new users toward online betting platforms.

The study also shows that betting is likely to become a major part of how many adults engage with the World Cup. Jumio found that one in three adults globally plan to place bets during the tournament, with Singapore at 29%. Almost half of respondents said betting will be important to how they enjoy the event, while 55% said they would prefer to place bets online rather than in person.

These trends create pressure on betting platforms’ identity and age-verification systems. Jumio warned that first-time users, multiple-account activity and high-volume onboarding during the World Cup could strain operators’ safeguards at the exact moment when preventing underage access is most important. The company said 74% of consumers believe that betting platforms and their technology providers are responsible for keeping minors off sports betting apps.

Singapore already has a strict gambling framework. The Ministry of Home Affairs says gambling activities are prohibited unless they are exempted or licensed, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority is responsible for regulating the gambling industry. Singapore’s gambling laws were updated to respond to technology and mobile access, with officials noting that the internet and mobile computing had made gambling products more accessible.

Age restrictions are also a core part of the system. Under Singapore’s gambling framework, the general minimum age for gambling is 21, except for Singapore Pools’ physical outlets, where the minimum remains 18. Singapore Pools says its online account service is limited to customers aged at least 21, with proof-of-identity requirements and one-time password access designed to reduce unauthorised use by family members or minors.

For Singapore, the World Cup will therefore be a test of both regulation and technology. Legal betting channels must prove that their age checks, account controls and responsible gambling tools can withstand a surge in activity, while regulators will need to watch for illegal offshore apps and social-media promotion targeting young users. The key issue is not only whether adults bet during the tournament, but whether platforms can ensure that minors are kept out of the betting environment.