March Madness betting projected at $3.1 billion

An estimated $3.1 billion is expected to be wagered on the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments this year, marking a nearly 15% increase from last year. This amount is more than double the Super Bowl betting total. The American Gaming Association reported that interest in women's college basketball is rising, with a 35% increase in bets compared to last year. The popularity of players like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins is contributing to this trend. The AGA also highlighted concerns about gambling-related harassment during March Madness. A study found that 73% of abusive messages related to betting occur during the tournaments, with women athletes receiving significantly more harassment than men.