March Madness 2026 Expected to Draw $3.3 Billion in Bets

Gambling on the NCAA Tournament continues to reach new heights.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to the American Gaming Association, the 2026 March Madness tournament is expected to see a record $3.3 billion in bets placed, a 6% increase from the previous year. This figure does not include unregulated office pools and bracket challenges, which could push the total betting handle even higher.

Why it matters

The massive betting volume on March Madness highlights the growing popularity and acceptance of legal sports betting across the United States, especially in key markets like New York. It also underscores the tournament's status as one of the biggest annual events for the gambling industry.

The details

The $3.3 billion projection does not include money wagered through unregulated channels like office pools and peer-to-peer apps, which could push the total betting handle even higher. Regulated sportsbooks in New York alone are expected to take in over $2 billion in bets during the tournament, nearly double the next closest states of Illinois and New Jersey.

  • The 2026 March Madness tournament is expected to take place in March 2026.

The players

American Gaming Association

The national trade group representing the U.S. casino industry.

Bill Miller

President and CEO of the American Gaming Association.

Kalshi

A leading prediction market platform that allows trading on a variety of events, including sports.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fans continue to engage with legal, state- and tribal-regulated sports betting in record numbers during one of the biggest moments on the sports calendar.”

— Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association

What’s next

As the 2026 March Madness tournament approaches, sportsbooks and regulators will be closely monitoring betting activity and patterns to ensure the integrity of the games.

The takeaway

The staggering $3.3 billion betting projection for the 2026 March Madness tournament underscores the massive scale of legal and regulated sports betting in the United States, especially in key markets like New York. It also highlights the tournament's status as one of the biggest annual events for the gambling industry.