The American Gaming Association (AGA) projects that Americans will legally wager $3.1 billion on this year’s men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments. This figure represents a significant increase from the $2.7 billion wagered in 2024 and highlights the expanding legal sports betting market and growing trust in regulated wagering options.
“March Madness is one of the most exhilarating times in American sports, with fans buzzing for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said Joe Maloney, AGA’s SVP of Strategic Communications. “With the expansion of legal wagering across the U.S., more fans than ever can bet legally and responsibly.”
Throughout March, the “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.” campaign will deliver crucial messages to fans, promoting responsible sports betting through five key principles:
- Set a Budget: Determine your spending limit and stick to it.
- Keep it Social: Treat betting as a form of entertainment to be shared with others.
- Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning.
- Play Legally: Use regulated and legal betting platforms.
- Keep Your Cool: Maintain composure, regardless of the outcome—win or lose.
“‘Keep Your Cool,’ our latest principle in the ‘Have A Game Plan’ campaign, emphasizes enjoying betting while respecting the game, no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes,” Maloney added.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., providing consumers with safe, regulated options to engage with their favorite sports. Support for legal sports betting in the U.S. continues to rise, with the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey revealing that 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
