- The American Gaming Association is estimating Americans will bet billions on next week’s March Madness Tournaments
- The AGA believes Americans will be more than $3.1 billion on the games
- Interest is expected to be higher for the 2025 tournaments compared with last year
Next week is going to be absolute madness.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally bet $3.1 billion on the men and women’s college basketball tournament this year, up from $2.7 billion bet in 2024.
The AGA is estimating March Madness will see more interest than the Super Bowl.
Exceeding Even the Super Bowl
The AGA is expecting massive numbers for the tournaments, even more so than Super Bowl LIX.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in American sports, with fans fired up for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said AGA SVP of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney in a press release. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
The $3.1 billion estimate is almost $2 billion more than the estimated $1.3 billion the AGA predicted U.S. customers would wager on Super Bowl LIX. It makes sense, as there will be hundreds of games to wager on for the next month in both the men and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments compared with just the one day for the Super Bowl.
Currently, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have some form of legalized sports betting. According to an AGA poll, 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
State Restrictions on College Basketball Betting
While the AGA is predicting record number for the tournaments, customers need to be aware if their states have restrictions on college sports betting. Certain states have specific rules, such as prohibitions for bets on in-state school or prohibitions on college players props.
Here are each of the legalized states and any restrictions they may have on college sports betting.
- Arizona: College player props prohibited
- Arkansas: No restrictions
- Colorado: College player props prohibited
- Connecticut: No bets on in-state teams, unless they’re participating in a tournament.
- Delaware: No betting on events including Delaware colleges
- Florida: College player props prohibited
- Illinois: No online sports bets on in-state colleges if they’re participating in an event in Illinois. College player props prohibited
- Indiana: College player props prohibited
- Iowa: College player props prohibited
- Kentucky: No restrictions
- Kansas: No restrictions
- Louisiana: College player props prohibited
- Maine: No betting on in-state colleges. College player prop bets are also prohibited
- Maryland: College player props are prohibited
- Massachusetts: No better on in-state colleges, unless they’re playing in a tournament. College player props are prohibited
- Michigan: No restrictions
- Mississippi: College player props are prohibited
- Montana: No restrictions
- Nebraska: No betting on in-state colleges
- Nevada: No restrictions
- New Hampshire: No bets on in-state colleges
- New Jersey: No bets on in-state schools or events taking place in New Jersey
- New Mexico: No restrictions
- New York: No betting on events that include an in-state school. College player props are prohibited
- North Carolina: No restrictions
- North Dakota: No restrictions
- Ohio: College player props are prohibited
- Oregon: No online sports betting on college sports
- Pennsylvania: College player props are prohibited
- Rhode Island: College player props are prohibited
- South Dakota: No bets on in-state teams or college player props
- Tennessee: Prohibition on college player prop bets
- Vermont: No betting on in-state teams unless playing in a tournament
- Virginia: No betting on events involving a Virginia School. Player props prohibited
- Washington: No betting on in-state schools or player props
- Washington, D.C: No betting on an in-district school or one involving an in-district school
- West Virginia: Prohibition on college player props
- Wisconsin: No bets on in-state teams
- Wyoming: No restrictions
March Madness is upon us once again, and with it comes the excitement of college basketball fans across the country. But it’s not just the games themselves that are drawing attention – it’s also the millions of dollars that are expected to be wagered on the tournament.
According to a recent forecast by the American Gaming Association, Americans are expected to wager a staggering $3 billion on this year’s March Madness tournaments. This figure includes both legal and illegal bets placed on the games, with the majority of the money being wagered through online sportsbooks and local bookies.
The popularity of March Madness as a betting event has been steadily increasing over the years, with more and more states legalizing sports betting and making it easier for fans to place their bets. In fact, the AGA estimates that around 47 million Americans will be placing bets on this year’s tournament, either through traditional sportsbooks or through online platforms.
One of the main reasons for the surge in betting on March Madness is the sheer number of games that are played during the tournament. With 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to place bets on a wide variety of games and outcomes. This, combined with the unpredictable nature of college basketball, makes March Madness a particularly attractive betting event for many sports fans.
Of course, it’s important to remember that sports betting can be risky, and it’s always important to gamble responsibly. While many fans enjoy placing bets on March Madness as a way to add some extra excitement to the games, it’s crucial to set limits and only wager what you can afford to lose.
Overall, the forecast of Americans wagering $3 billion on this year’s March Madness tournaments is a testament to the enduring popularity of college basketball and the excitement that comes with betting on the games. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to add some extra excitement to your viewing experience, there’s no denying that March Madness is one of the most thrilling times of the year for sports bettors across the country.
