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New Jersey could ask sportsbooks to help pay part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bill. A new proposal would add a short term charge on betting revenue tied to the tournament.
Good to Know
New Jersey lawmakers want a piece of World Cup betting revenue to help cover the cost of hosting matches at MetLife Stadium.
Democratic Rep. Michael Venezia and Democratic Sen. Paul Sarlo introduced legislation on Monday that would add a temporary 10% surcharge on gross revenue from 2026 FIFA World Cup wagers at New Jersey sportsbooks.
The tax would apply to online betting revenue from any World Cup game, match series, part of a match, or athlete performance market involving the 48 qualified teams. In plain terms, sportsbook revenue from World Cup bets, player props, and related markets could fall under the plan.
Sportsbooks already pay tax in New Jersey. Online operators currently hand over about 19.75% of winnings, so the World Cup charge would sit on top of that existing rate.
Money from the surcharge would go into the Casino Revenue Fund and the State General Fund. Lawmakers also linked the wider funding plan to hotel, beer, and transportation fees tied to the tournament.
The bill statement said:
“The revenue collected from the temporary surcharges is intended to support the costs of preparations for the hosting of the matches of this special event that will take place in New Jersey.”
New Jersey has a short runway. The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, and the Assembly and Senate versions still need to clear several steps before any surcharge can take effect.
Still, the idea shows how states may look at sports betting revenue when major events bring large public costs. For New Jersey sports betting operators, the proposal would mean less profit from one of the most watched betting events of 2026.