Best March Madness Betting Sites for US Bettors: How To Bet On March Madness

March Madness betting sites are your ticket to the heart-pounding drama of college basketball’s biggest stage. Choosing the right sportsbook can make or break your betting experience, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro sports bettor. The top platforms stand out for user-friendly layouts, extensive bet types, and generous bonuses tailored to tournament excitement. The following are the top March Madness betting sportsbooks for new users:

Recommended March Madness betting sites for new users

1

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DraftKings Sportsbook Review

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What to know about the best March Madness betting site promos

Top March Madness betting websites reviewed

March Madness odds are available for betting at sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers. All you need to do is access one or more licensed sportsbooks via their betting sites or apps from a state in which online sports betting is legal. From there, create a new sportsbook account, enter your personal details, and claim any available promos. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be ready to make a deposit and place your bets.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings offers an intuitive platform that makes it easy to browse potential wagers. The sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY.

DraftKings promo code: Up to $1,250 in bonus funds — no promo code needed; click here.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

The FanDuel platform is clean and easy to use while still having a good variety of features. During March Madness, building multi-leg wagers is simple, with options like same-game parlays just a click away. The FanDuel Sportsbook app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY.

FanDuel promo code: Bet $5, get $250 in bonus bets if your bet wins — no promo code needed; click here.

3. BetMGM Sportsbook

The MGM name has helped this sportsbook gain attention, but it also offers competitive odds and lines for college basketball games, as well as a variety of bets as the tournament plays out. BetMGM Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY - Note: Offer not available in NY.

BetMGM promo: Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the BetMGM bonus code PLAYLSR. *Bonus bets expire in 7 Days. One new customer offer only. Add’l terms.

4. BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers offers a solid platform that is easy to use. The company also features a rewards program that lets you earn points for placing wagers. The BetRivers app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV.

BetRivers bonus code: Second-chance bet up to $500 with the promo code LSRRIV.

5. Bet365 Sportsbook

Bet365 was founded in the UK and has a major international presence with ongoing expansion in the US. It offers competitive welcome bonuses and an easy-to-use app, along with desktop options.

Bet365 bonus code: Bet $5, get $150 in total bonuses win or lose. Use the promo code LSRBET.

• Before March Madness begins, don’t forget to claim offers in the operator’s two newest states, which launched Sunday: bet365 IL promo code | bet365 TN promo code.

6. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars is a well-known name in the world of gambling, and it’s become a major fixture in online sports betting. It offers a well-regarded rewards program and competitive welcome bonuses.

Caesars sportsbook promo code: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers. Use the promo code LSRDYW.

7. Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics has launched onto the scene but first began its journey as an apparel brand. Fanatics operators a mobile-only sportsbook with tons of different options and a sleek UI. Fanatics also offers a competitive welcome offer for new users.

Fanatics Sportbook promo: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no sweat bets.

Alternative popular US march madness betting websites

ESPN Bet

ESPN Bet launched in November 2023 through a partnership between ESPN and Penn Entertainment. This was ESPN’s entry into the online sports betting market, after Penn’s rebranding from Barstool Sportsbook. ESPN Bet has gained popularity with its integration into other brands as ESPN, including its fantasy products and media shows. ESPN Bet currently operates in 17 states.

Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino

Bally Bet Sportsbook is a older player in the online sports betting market, launching in 2021. Since then, it has expanded its presence and now operates in ten states. The platform now works through integration with Bally’s casino network. It offers a seamless connection between online and in-person sports betting experiences.

Borgata Sportsbook

Borgata Online Sportsbook, which launched in May 2019, is the digital sports betting extension of Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The app offers a comprehensive range of betting options, and multiple different markets. Currently, Bortagat is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Crab Sports

Crab Sports, an online sportsbook that is only available in Maryland, launched its operations in 2023. Crab Sports is a fairly small player in the Market, and they work with plenty of local businesses in the Maryland area. Crab Sports has a wide range of betting options on their app.

March Madness betting sites ranked by mobile app users

March madness sports betting sites by US state

There are dozens of regulated sports betting sites throughout the United States. Here is the extensive list:

Live betting on March Madness

Also known as in-game betting, live betting affords the chance to hedge your initial position if a game breaks differently than you were expecting, or you can just wager on a standalone basis. Offerings will vary but may include the following:

• Updated odds and lines on standard pregame bets.
• Winners and totals for the first or second half.
• Various prop-type scenarios.

If you like staying engaged as a game plays out, then live betting could be an area to explore. For those who prefer to place their wagers and then relax and enjoy the game, this style of betting might not be for you.

Recommended march madness websites for live betting

Depending on where you are located your options will change for what is available to you. With that being said, bet365 Sportsbook is known for being the leader in live betting in the United States. Bet365 offers a wide range of markets when it comes to in-game betting, and they also provide real-time updates.

On bet365, users can tune in and watch a live stream of a game they have wagered on as well, giving users more reason to come play on their app.

How we rank the best March Madness betting sites

We look at multiple factors when ranking the best betting sites for March Madness. Obviously, the sportsbook must be legal and regulated in the states where it does business. Once we’re assured on questions of safety and accessibility, we evaluate the player experience and overall usability.

The available menu of March Madness betting options is an important factor. Bettors should have a full selection of March Madness bets to choose from, with options for all the types of wagers that are legally available. The sportsbook’s odds and lines should also be competitive with the overall betting market.

Other important factors include the performance and usability of the sportsbook’s app and website, current bonuses and promotions, banking options, and customer service. Bettors should receive prompt and clear replies if any problems arise, and there should be a range of payment options to choose from so that users can make deposits and withdrawals quickly and easily.

Desktop and mobile performance can vary widely among online sportsbooks. While some offer a consistently smooth experience, others still have bugs to sort out. Finally, we review the terms, conditions, and playthrough requirements of all promotional offers to provide a full understanding of what they entail and what the restrictions may be.

Is betting on March Madness legal in the US?

Yes, in some places. To date, 30 states, plus Washington, DC, have legalized online sports betting, and the list will likely continue growing in the coming years. In 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting and placed the decision of whether to allow the activity into the hands of individual states. While sports betting has since become legal in many states, there hasn’t been any federal legislation across the entire US.

Rules and regulations for March Madness betting

States can set their own rules for sports betting. That means the rules can vary in states where betting is legal. All states prohibit those with close ties to a sport from wagering on it. Some states, however, have set the legal sports betting age at 18, while most have it at 21.

Rules for wagering on college sports can vary from state to state. The following states and other jurisdictions have no major prohibitions or restrictions on college basketball betting:

• Arkansas
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ontario
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Meanwhile, others do have some regulations that deal with wagering on college sports.

• Arizona: No college prop bets.
• Colorado: No college prop bets.
• Connecticut: No betting on games involving in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). Player props are allowed for out-of-state teams only.
• Delaware: No betting on games involving in-state college teams. Prop betting is allowed on out-of-state teams only.
• Florida: No college prop bets.
• Illinois: Cannot wager on games involving in-state college teams. No college props.
• Indiana: Prop betting is allowed during pregame only and on out-of-state teams.
• Iowa: No prop bets on college athletes.
• Louisiana: No prop bets on college athletes.
• Maine: No betting on games involving in-state college teams. Prop betting is allowed on out-of-state teams only.
• Maryland: No prop bets on college athletes.
• Massachusetts: No betting on games involving in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). No college player props.
• Mississippi: No prop bets on college athletes.
• New Hampshire: No betting on in-state college teams or events.
• New Jersey: No betting on games or events involving in-state college teams, such as Seton Hall or Princeton in the NCAA Tournament. Prop betting allowed for teams outside of the state.
• New York: No betting on games involving in-state college teams.
• Ohio: No prop bets on college athletes.
• Oregon: Must place college bets in person at a retail sportsbook; no online college betting.
• Pennsylvania: No prop bets on college athletes.
• Rhode Island: No betting on games involving in-state college teams. Prop betting is allowed on out-of-state teams only.
• South Dakota: No betting on games involving in-state college teams.
• Tennessee: No prop bets on college athletes or in-game college props of any sort.
• Vermont: No betting on games involving in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). No prop bets on college athletes.
• Virginia: No college prop bets or betting on games involving in-state college teams.
• Washington: No betting on games involving in-state college teams.
• Washington, DC: No betting on college games taking place in the district or colleges that call the district home.

How to bet on March Madness online

Within a matter of minutes, you can be set up and ready to bet on the next NCAA basketball tournament. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Choose a legal online sportsbook. Depending on where you live, there may be multiple options to choose from for a major event like the NCAA basketball tournament.
2. Review the rules. You must be of legal gambling age in your state and meet the eligibility requirements to sign up. If you’re claiming a March Madness bonus at sign-up, make sure you’ve read the terms and restrictions.
3. Create an account. You’ll need to fill out some personal information and possibly verify your location. This will only take a couple of minutes.
4. Add money to your account. Choose from the available deposit methods and use one of them to put money into your account. Some sportsbooks will offer a bonus depending on the amount of your first deposit.
5. Decide what you want to bet on. There are multiple options when it comes to wagering on the March Madness tournament, from moneylines to point spreads and more. Betting options may vary by state.
6. Choose your stakes. It’s up to you to decide how much to wager on any given bet, but there are two good rules to always keep in mind: Bet with your head and never over it, and never wager more money than you can comfortably afford to lose.
7. Place your bet. If you find a bet you like, click the March Madness odds and enter the amount of your wager. Double-check to make sure everything looks good before you finalize the bet.
8. Withdraw your funds. If you win, the time between winning your bet and receiving your winnings can vary, depending on whether you’ve chosen a fast-paying sportsbook. For most payment methods, you can expect anywhere between a few hours to three business days before you receive your money.

How March Madness betting works

You can bet on the winner of March Madness nearly year-round thanks to the futures market. Additional options include betting on teams to make the Elite Eight or Final Four.

For now, let’s focus on how you can bet on each individual game as the tournament plays out. From the First Four to the national title game, there are 67 games over multiple weeks. The average listing for an individual game will look something like this:

If you look next to the two team names, the default listing features the odds and lines for three main bets: the moneyline, point spread and total. Negative odds indicate a favorite, while positive odds indicate an underdog. In our example, Gonzaga is the favorite on the moneyline and a five-point favorite on the spread in a game with an over/under line of 160 total points.

Spreads and totals have the number that oddsmakers have set — in this case 5 and 160 points — followed by the actual odds for the wager, which are -110 across the board for our example. Here are the basics for all three wagers.

• Moneyline: Pick the side you think will win.
• Point spread: Choose the favorite minus the spread or the underdog plus the spread.
• Totals: Bet whether the total score will be over or under the sportsbook’s line.

March Madness prop betting

Prop betting is another popular item on the wagering menu. These are bets that involve things that might or might not happen during a contest or at its conclusion. As mentioned earlier, individual states might have restrictions in place for college props, so be sure to review the rules in your area. Here are some examples of props you might see:

• Alternative spreads and totals.
• Ranges of points for margin of victory.
• Team performance by half or for the game as a whole.

Props on college athletes aren’t available everywhere, so the options can be scant in comparison to what you would find for an NBA game. When checking the game listings at online sportsbooks, you can find the available props by clicking on the individual contests.

How to bet on March Madness futures

Odds for the winner of the next national championship will come out soon after the tournament is over. The board typically appears in descending order with favorites on top. The odds for a few favorites might look like this:

• Duke +1300
• Connecticut +1500
• Kentucky +1000
• Kansas +2000
• Purdue +2000

After the initial release, bets will begin coming in. The numbers will move in response to betting action. The teams that see a lot of interest can see their odds shorten, while the opposite can happen for squads that don’t attract as much attention. This will continue throughout the season as the betting market develops.

March Madness 2026 futures odds

Futures odds are available for the 2026 edition of March Madness. The live odds feed below contains the latest numbers from legal sportsbooks. If you see a bet that you’re interested in, just click the odds to be directed to the sportsbook to place it.

March Madness sports betting companies to steer clear of

Due to the nature of online sports betting in the United States, there are some players in the game that operate as offshore sportsbooks. We do not recommend using any offshore or grey market sports betting site or online casinos. If you are located in the US, you should be using legal, regulated online sports betting sites. Below is a short list of common sites to steer clear of:

• Bovada
• BetOnline.AG
• MyBookie
• SportsBetting.AG
• BetUS

March Madness 2026 date, time, and locations

The 2026 edition of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 17 and wrap up on April 6. In between, it’ll be three weeks of action. Here are the key dates:

• Selection Sunday: March 15
• First Four: March 17-18
• First and second rounds: March 19-22
• Regionals: March 26-29
• Final Four: April 4
• National championship: April 6

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the host for the Final Four and the title game. CBS and Turner Sports will be the broadcast home for the tournament, with games on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV, as well as on their digital platforms.

Which teams have performed the best at March Madness?

Each college basketball season is a separate event. Still, some programs have fantastic overall track records at March Madness. Here are the five clubs that have played the most games in the annual tournament:

• Kentucky: 132-57 in 189 games
• North Carolina: 134-50 in 184 games
• Kansas: 118-50 in 160 games
• Duke: 122-41 in 163 games
• UCLA: 115-45 in 160 games

The same five teams also top the charts in a number of other March Madness categories:

• Tournament appearances: Kentucky, 57
• Consecutive tournaments: Kansas, 33 from 1990-present
• Most Final Four appearances: North Carolina, 21
• Most NCAA championships: UCLA, 11, last in 1995

While the past is no guarantee of future success, there’s a good chance that the programs that have lengthy March Madness résumés will continue adding lines as we move forward.

March Madness brackets

In the world of sports, one of the biggest highlights of the early part of the year is the official unveiling of the March Madness bracket. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee sets the field. Thirty-two teams receive automatic bids for winning their conferences, while 36 spots go to at-large schools for a total of 68 teams.

When setting the field, the committee will consider the overall record, the strength of schedule and various other performance metrics and stats. Determining which teams qualify is only part of the job. The committee also seeds the teams and sets the matchups. The bracket has four regions — East, Midwest, South, and West — and the winners of each then advance to the Final Four.

Each region has 16 teams, seeded from 1-16. The committee sets 60 seeds prior to release, while the final spots go to the winners of the First Four games. The tournament is single-elimination. Here’s how that translates into games for each round.

• First Four: Four games
• First round: 32 games
• Second round: 16 games
• Sweet 16: Eight games
• Elite Eight: Four games
• Final Four: Two games
• National championship: One game

All told, it’s 67 games from start to finish. The committee does the heavy lifting in advance of the tournament, and there is inevitably a good amount of debate about which teams were snubbed for selection.

The odds of picking a perfect bracket correctly are 1 in 9.223 quintillion, according to the NCAA.

March Madness Betting FAQ