The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally bet about $3.1 billion on men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year.
According to the association, the value is well above the US$ 2.7 billion bet in 2024. This growth attests to the expansion of the legal sports betting market, in addition to the growing confidence in legalized betting options.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in U.S. sports, with fans excited for the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments,” said Joe Maloney, AGA senior vice president of strategic communications.
“As legal betting expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
AGA encourages responsible betting on basketball and other sports
The Have a Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.™ campaign is running throughout March. It supports fans by encouraging responsible sports betting. The campaign promotes five core 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 outcome of a bet – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches or staff online or in person.
“‘Keep Your Cool’ is the newest tenet of ‘Have A Game Plan’, where it’s all about keeping the betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness gets,” Maloney added.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., providing consumers with safe and regulated options to engage with their favorite sports.
However, Americans’ support for legal sports betting continues to grow. According to an AGA poll, 75% of Americans support legal sports betting in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
Have a game plan
Have a game plan. Bet Responsibly.™ is a national initiative designed to educate sports fans on the fundamentals of responsible sports betting.
Launched in 2019, the campaign encourages bettors to set a budget and continue betting on licensed platforms. It also encourages them to understand the odds and play with trusted and licensed operators.
With the support of sports leagues, teams, media companies and gaming operators across the country, the Have A Game Plan reflects the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming and fostering a positive gaming environment.
