47.4 million Americans to wager on 2021 March Madness tournament

According to a survey conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association (AGA) by Morning Consultant between March 3-5, 47.4 million Americans will place bets on the 2021 March Madness tournament, with online and physical sportsbook betting expected to grow dramatically compared to 2019, compensating for lower expected participation in bracket contests.

The survey also shows that 36.7 million Americans will fill out a bracket, down 8% from 2019, 30.6 million of them will plane more traditional bets on this year’s tournament, up from 17.8 million in 2019, 17.8 million will place a bet online, up 206% from 5.8 million in 2019, and 8.3 million will place a bet at a physical sportsbook, up 79% from 2019. Since the 2019 tournament, 65.4 million more Americans have gained the opportunity to bet safely in legal markets in 13 new jurisdictions. Furthermore, 26% of Americans saying they are extremely or very interested in the tournament, compared to 23% two years ago.

“The sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since 2019 – and as a result, tournament betting has transformed. As consumers formerly limited to bracket contests now enjoy access to legal sportsbook options, they also plan to place traditional sports bets as March Madness returns,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “With more legal, regulated sports betting options than ever before, millions of customers now have safer ways to enjoy all the fun and suspense only March Madness provides,” added Miller.

As of today, 25 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports betting, with 21 legal markets operational.