March Madness is a huge time for the US-facing gaming industry when amateurs and sharps all competing for basketball bracket supremacy. With the rise of regulated sports betting the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has grown even bigger and this year’s event is looking to be one of the wagered on, non-Super Bowl, sporting events in US history.
Earlier this week, the American Gaming Association (AGA) predicted that Americans will spend as much as $3.1 billion on legal wagers over the course of March Madness. That’s a 14 percent leap from the $2.7 billion in legal wagers that were placed on the 2024 tournament.
AGA SVP of Strategic Communications, Joe Maloney commented on the incredible popularity of March Madness saying, “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. As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
To help players enjoy the Tournament responsibly, the AGA is launching a campaign titled, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly. The campaign is based on five principles including:
- 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 – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials online or in-person.
The AGA’s campaign will be deployed throughout the Tournament and is part of a larger effort to promote responsible gaming throughout the year.