New Survey Suggests 45 Million American Adults Plan to Wager on March Madness

Neil Parker

Last Updated: March 14, 2022 5:54 AM EDT • 1 min 16 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: The Gonzaga Bulldogs huddle on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Saint Mary's Gaels at the Orleans Arena on March 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Gaels 82-69. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The American Gaming Association (AGA) expects more than 17 percent of American adults to wager $3.1 billion collectively on this year’s NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, according to a new survey.

https://twitter.com/ButlerBets/status/1503357170770927617

“Americans continue to make it clear: they want to wager with the protections of the legal, regulated market.” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “There’s no doubt this year will generate the highest legal handle in March Madness history.”

45 million American adults plan to bet on March Madness.20.9 million Americans expect to wager on the tournament outside of bracket contests—at a retail sportsbook, online, with a bookie or casually with friends.36.5 million Americans will bet via a bracket contest or similar pool.

Americans are planning to place a greater share of their bets through non-bracket channels this year with 76 percent of their expected wagers outside of brackets. That number is up 55 percent from 2021.

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There are also an additional 29 million Americans who can legally wager this year, as Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming have all launched new legal sports betting markets.

“There’s nothing more thrilling in sports than the magic of March Madness. If you’re getting in on the action, have your game plan to bet responsibly. That means setting a budget, keeping it fun, learning the odds and playing legally,” Miller added.

It’s worth highlighting bettors named Gonzaga (17 percent) as their favorite to win the tournament, followed by Duke (12 percent) and Kentucky (11 percent).

After there were record-breaking numbers in the sports betting markets associated with Super Bowl LVI, it should come as no surprise that March Madness will also be another historic event for sportsbooks.

Make sure to keep an eye on our Live Odds page throughout the week to get the best lines possible and connect with others in the SBR community on our popular sports betting foru m.

Written By:
Neil Parker

A lifelong Cowboys, Cubs, Maple Leafs and Gators supporter, Neil has been covering sports in print and online since 2011. His past stops include USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook and RotoWire among others. He's a graduate of St. Thomas University and Acadia University and spends ample time at KenWo Golf Club.