Young adults are driving a surge in World Cup betting activity, but a significant minority are falling victim to fraudsters operating unlicensed platforms. New research from credit reference firm TransUnion reveals that 12% of 25-34-year-olds have knowingly been defrauded through illegal betting sites. That’s substantially higher than older demographics and a real vulnerability that the industry can’t ignore.

The Age Divide in Betting Risk

The TransUnion survey, conducted by OnePoll across 1,000 UK adults in May, paints a striking picture of generational betting behaviour. Young adults aren’t only the most enthusiastic punters ahead of the 2026 tournament. They’re also the most exposed to fraud. The 12% victimisation rate among 25-34-year-olds contrasts sharply with 10% among 35-44-year-olds and just 1% among those aged 55-64.

This demographic’s appetite for increased betting during the World Cup is unmistakable. Around 43% of 25-34-year-olds intend to bet more frequently during the tournament, compared to just 4% of those aged 65 and over. They’re also prepared to stake significantly more per bet, with an average wager of £16.56 against the broader average of £9.54.

London’s Betting Hotspot

Geographically, London dominates. More than half of the capital’s bettors plan to wager on England matches, with 42% backing other major fixtures and 29% targeting outright tournament winners. These figures substantially outpace activity elsewhere in the UK.

London residents show the strongest security consciousness, though. 95% rate secure transactions as crucial to their betting experience. Across all online bettors, 91% value security, though only 60% consider it a primary factor in operator selection.

Convenience Over Caution

When choosing a betting operator, convenience emerges as the leading factor. It’s cited by 17% of bettors overall and 24% of young adults. This preference for ease of access may well contribute to the fraud vulnerability. Chad Reimers, TransUnion’s international vice-president of fraud solutions, identified the critical gap: bettors trust a brand without verifying its regulatory status.

TransUnion’s recommendations centre on a few key points: verification of Gambling Commission licensing, scepticism toward unusually generous promotions, robust password management, two-factor authentication, and vigilant monitoring of financial statements. For those suspecting fraud, the firm advises reporting incidents to Action Fraud and seeking support from GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline.

Regulatory Momentum

The findings align with broader regulatory concern across Europe. The Malta Gaming Authority has urged bookmakers to strengthen player behaviour monitoring ahead of the tournament, emphasising the need for stringent surveillance protocols against illegal gambling. South Korea has taken a more proactive stance, launching a reward-based tip line to encourage public reporting of illegal betting websites targeting local residents.

What the team thinks

Baz Hartley says:

These figures are genuinely alarming, and TransUnion deserves credit for shining a light on what’s clearly a systemic problem, though I’d argue the article doesn’t dig deep enough into why young adults are so vulnerable to unlicensed operators when licensed platforms offer better player protections and dispute resolution. The real issue here isn’t betting itself, it’s that proper regulation and consumer education still aren’t reaching this demographic effectively, which means the industry’s legitimate operators and regulators have a responsibility to do more than just issue warnings. If we’re serious about player safety ahead of major tournaments like the World Cup, we need licensed operators, affiliates, and the Gambling Commission working together on targeted awareness campaigns that actually explain what makes a site trustworthy, because right now it seems many young bettors are learning the hard way instead of the smart way.