The American Gaming Association (AGA) projects that Americans will legally wager a staggering $3.1 billion on the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments this year, highlighting the continued growth of regulated sports betting across the United States.
The $3.1 billion projection represents a substantial increase of approximately $400 million compared to last year's March Madness tournaments, which generated $2.7 billion in legal wagers. This 15% year-over-year growth reflects both the expanding availability of legal sports betting options and increasing consumer comfort with regulated platforms.
"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 Joe Maloney, AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications. "As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly."
The men's tournament begins with First Four games on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the women's First Four games take place Wednesday and Thursday. Both tournaments will unfold over several weeks of intense competition:
Men's Championship Game: April 5 in San Antonio, Texas
Women's Championship Game: April 6 in Tampa, Florida
Last year's championship games attracted massive television audiences, with the women's final between South Carolina and Iowa drawing an impressive 18.7 million viewers, surpassing the men's championship between UConn and Purdue, which averaged 14.69 million viewers.
Throughout March, the AGA is amplifying its "Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly." campaign to promote responsible betting practices during the highly anticipated tournament season. The initiative emphasizes five key principles:
Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to it
Keep it Social: Betting should be a form of entertainment shared with others
Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning
Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms
Keep Your Cool: The result of a bet is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials
The newest principle, "Keep Your Cool," was specifically highlighted by Maloney: "'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."
Since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded dramatically across the country. Currently, regulated sports wagering is available in 38 states and Washington, D.C., providing consumers with safe and regulated options.
Public support for legal sports betting continues to grow as well. According to the AGA's 2024 American Attitudes Survey:
75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state
90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment
This widespread acceptance has helped fuel the industry's growth and the transition of billions of dollars in wagers from illegal offshore operators to regulated, tax-paying businesses.
The AGA, which serves as the national trade group for the U.S. casino industry, notes that the gaming industry as a whole contributes significantly to the American economy:
$329 billion industry-wide economic impact
1.8 million jobs supported across the country
As March Madness betting continues to grow, it represents an increasingly important revenue stream for both state governments through tax collection and the broader sports betting ecosystem.