SOFTSWISS and SBC host webinar on World Cup 2026 impact on LatAm sportsbooks

SOFTSWISS and SBC hosted a joint webinar examining how the 2026 FIFA World Cup could affect sportsbook performance and infrastructure stability across Latin America.

The webinar, titled World Cup 2026: The Impact of LatAmHosting on Sportsbook Performance and Stability, brought together industry experts from SOFTSWISS, Stellar Gaming, and Gamewiz. The session focused on the operational challenges operators may face during one of the largest betting events globally, particularly in a region experiencing rapid user growth.

Speakers pointed out that the expanded scale of the tournament, featuring more than 100 matches and 48 national teams, is expected to place significant strain on sportsbook systems over an extended period.

“This will be the largest World Cup in history: more than 100 matches and 48 national teams. The load on systems will be enormous over a much longer period than we are used to. You cannot prepare for this in a week,” said Fellipe Fraga, Chief Business Officer at Stellar Gaming.

Industry participants highlighted that Latin American markets face particular risks due to infrastructure limitations and dependence on third-party services, including payment systems, data providers, and identity verification tools.

At the same time, the event is expected to drive significant growth in betting activity, creating both opportunity and operational pressure for operators.

“We expect at least 30% growth in betting volume compared to usual peaks, with potential reaching 100%. The question is not whether players will come, but whether you can retain them after the final whistle,” said Bruno Palumbo, Country Manager Brazil at Gamewiz.

The discussion emphasised the need for stable integrations and contingency planning to avoid downtime during peak betting periods, with operators encouraged to implement backup systems and strengthen infrastructure ahead of the tournament.

Carolina Diniz Flauzino, Business Development Manager at SOFTSWISS, said operators in the region often prioritise cost over quality, a trade-off that could prove costly during high-demand events.

“In Latin America, operators often focus on price rather than quality. But when platform stability is at stake during a global event, quality must become the only priority. A strong partner is your insurance for success,” she said.

SOFTSWISS said its sportsbook platform is designed to handle high-load events through distributed infrastructure and continuous monitoring, while offering integrations with multiple third-party providers and tools to manage risk during peak periods.

“Technology is the only factor that can instantly shut down your business. We do not just launch a platform – we build an architecture that must withstand the storm,” Fraga said.

A recording of the webinar is available for operators seeking further insight into infrastructure strategies ahead of the 2026 tournament.