NCAA Tournament Betting to Hit $3.1 Billion as Legal Market Grows

The American Gaming Association (AGA) projects that wagers placed on the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will total $3.1 billion in 2025, an increase from the $2.7 billion recorded in 2024. This rise reflects the expanding reach of legalized sports betting and the growing interest in regulated wagering options.

NCAA Tournament Drives Record Betting Activity

“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,” stated AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”

With the tournament attracting widespread attention, sports betting operators anticipate a surge in participation, especially as more states continue to legalize and regulate wagering on college sports.

Throughout March, the AGA’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. campaign will emphasize key principles of responsible gambling to bettors nationwide. The initiative focuses on five core guidelines:

• Set a Budget: Establish a spending limit and adhere to it.
• Keep it Social: Engage in betting as a form of entertainment with friends and family.
• Know the Odds: Understand the probability of winning before placing bets.
• Play Legally: Use licensed sportsbooks that comply with state regulations.
• Keep Your Cool: Win or lose, refrain from directing negativity toward players, coaches, or officials.

Maloney highlighted the significance of the newest principle, stating, “‘Keep Your Cool,’ our newest ‘Have A Game Plan’ principle, is all about keeping betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes.”

Legal Sports Betting Continues Expanding in the U.S.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the legal sports betting landscape has expanded significantly. Currently, 38 states and Washington, D.C., offer legal sports wagering, providing fans with regulated avenues to engage with their favorite teams.

Public for legal betting remains strong. According to the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey, 75% of Americans favor legalizing sports betting in their home state, and 90% consider it an acceptable form of entertainment. These figures reflect the increasing normalization of sports wagering as a mainstream recreational activity.

As the NCAA tournaments approach, the combination of widespread accessibility and strong consumer confidence in regulated betting platforms is expected to contribute to another record-breaking year for March Madness wagering.

Source:

‘’Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness’’, americangaming.org, March 13, 2025.