AGA Projects $3.1 Billion in Wagers for March Madness

AGA Anticipates $3.1 Billion in Wagers for the Upcoming March Madness

• Individuals in the United States, of legal gambling age, are anticipated to spend approximately $3.1 billion on wagers for the March Madness basketball tournament.
• This forecast surpasses the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) previous estimate of $2.72 billion for the year 2024.
• The AGA encourages the public to engage in responsible gambling practices, emphasizing betting for enjoyment only.

The American Gaming Association (AGA), a leading trade organization in the nation, has released its most recent forecast concerning the forthcoming March Madness tournament, considered the second-largest sports betting event in the United States.

The tournament is predicted to draw significant interest from sports enthusiasts, who are ready to place legal bets, amounting to an estimated $3.1 billion, through regulated sportsbooks across the country. This projection marks an increase from the 2024 outcome, where the AGA estimated that around $2.7 billion was legally wagered.

While the expansion of sports gambling has not been substantial in recent months, its popularity continues to grow steadily. Commenting on these thrilling times, AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications, Joe Maloney, remarked:

‘March Madness is one of the most exhilarating periods in American sports, with fans energized for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments. As legal wagering broadens across the US, more fans than ever have the chance to bet legally and responsibly.’

Responsible gambling remains a core focus of this projection, with the AGA urging consumers to remain alert and adopt safer gambling practices.

The organization has been actively promoting its ‘Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly’ campaign, which aims to educate as many people as possible about what constitutes safe play and how to avoid overspending.

AGA Encourages Sports Fans to ‘Keep Their Cool’

As Maloney emphasizes, the goal is to ‘Keep [Your] Cool’ and engage in betting for enjoyment while respecting the sport. Currently, regulated sports betting is accessible in 38 states and Washington, DC, allowing numerous individuals to place wagers firsthand.

The American Gaming Association is also working to minimize the influence of platforms it considers illegitimate, expressing concerns over both prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos.