(AsiaGameHub) –   New Jersey may request that sportsbooks contribute to covering part of the expenses associated with hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A newly proposed measure would introduce a temporary surcharge on betting revenue linked to the tournament.

Key Points

• According to local estimates, New Jersey could incur host costs exceeding $300 million for the World Cup.
• MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is scheduled to host eight matches, including the final on July 19, 2026.
• The proposed surcharge would be an additional 10% fee imposed on top of existing sportsbook taxes.

World Cup Betting Revenue Could Help Cover Host Costs

New Jersey lawmakers are seeking to use a portion of World Cup betting revenue to help offset the expenses of hosting matches at MetLife Stadium.

Democratic Representative Michael Venezia and Senator Paul Sarlo introduced legislation on Monday that would impose a temporary 10% surcharge on gross revenue generated from 2026 FIFA World Cup wagers placed at licensed sportsbooks in New Jersey.

The tax would apply to all online betting revenue tied to any World Cup match, series, segment of a game, or athlete performance market involving the 48 qualified national teams. In simpler terms, this includes sportsbook profits from bets on World Cup games, player props, and related markets.

Sportsbooks already pay taxes in New Jersey, with operators currently required to remit approximately 19.75% of their winnings. The proposed World Cup surcharge would be added on top of this existing rate.

Revenue collected from the surcharge would be directed to both the Casino Revenue Fund and the State General Fund. Lawmakers have also connected this funding initiative to other fees related to the tournament, such as those on hotels, beer sales, and transportation.

The bill’s official statement reads:

“The revenue collected from these temporary surcharges is intended to support the costs associated with preparing for and hosting the matches of this major event taking place in New Jersey.”

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin on June 11, New Jersey has limited time to advance the proposal. Both the Assembly and Senate versions of the bill must still go through several legislative steps before the surcharge could become effective.

Nevertheless, the proposal highlights how states might consider leveraging sports betting revenue to address significant public expenditures during large-scale events. For New Jersey’s sports betting operators, the plan could result in reduced profits from one of the year’s most prominent betting opportunities.