March Madness is the signature betting event for college basketball each season. The most recent campaign came to a close with UConn defeating Purdue to win the title. The 2024-25 season will begin in November.
The field for next year’s tournament will come out on Selection Sunday, which will be March 16, 2025. Below is a guide to the best sportsbooks for betting on March Madness, including an in-depth breakdown of how to wager on the tournament.
Best March Madness betting sites
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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Create an account. You’ll need to fill out some personal information, and you also may need to verify your location. This will only take a couple of minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
What are the best March Madness betting sites?
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 websites or apps from a state in which 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, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY.
DraftKings promo: Up to $1,300 in bonus funds and NFL+ Premium — 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, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV & WY.
FanDuel promo: Bet $5, get $200 if your bet wins plus three weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket — 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, NC, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY – Note: Offer not available in NV or NY.
BetMGM promo: Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win with the BetMGM bonus code PLAYLSR.
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 promo: 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 promo: Up to LSRVA.
The bonus code LSRVA can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way.
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 promo: First bet is on Caesars for any amount up to $1,000. If that first bet loses, you’ll receive a refund as a single bonus bet. Use the promo code LSR1000.
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 promo: Bet and get up to $1,000 in bonus bets plus access to the Fanatics Sportsbook $5M jersey drop.
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.
March Madness 2025 futures odds
Futures odds are available for the 2025 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.
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:
| Baylor | +188 | +5 (-110) | Over 160 (-110) |
| Gonzaga | -245 | -5 (-110) | Under 160 (-110) |
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.
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:
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 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 in-state college teams. Prop betting is allowed on out-of-state teams only.
- Florida: No college prop bets.
- Illinois: Cannot wager on 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 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 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 in-state college teams or events, such as Seton Hall or Princeton in the NCAA Tournament. Prop betting allowed for teams outside of the state.
- New York: No betting on in-state college teams, or props.
- 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 in-state college teams or events. Prop betting is allowed on out-of-state teams only.
- South Dakota: No betting on in-state college teams, or props.
- Tennessee: No prop bets on college athletes or in-game college props of any sort.
- Vermont: No betting on 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 in-state college teams.
- Washington: No betting on in-state college teams.
- Washington, DC: No betting on college games taking place in the district or colleges that call the district home.
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.
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 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 2025 date, time, and locations
The 2025 edition of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 18 and wrap up on April 7. In between, it’ll be three weeks of action. Here are the key dates:
- Selection Sunday: March 16
- First Four: March 18-19
- First and second rounds: March 20-23
- Regionals: March 27-30
- Final Four: April 5
- National championship: April 7
The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, 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.
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March Madness betting FAQ
Early favorites to win March Madness in 2025 include Duke, Kansas, Houston, and UConn.
Connecticut won the men’s title in 2024, the team’s second consecutive national championship. The Huskies defeated Purdue 75-60 in the final.
There is not one best betting site, as preferences vary by user. Deciding on the best March Madness betting site for you might have you looking at the welcome bonus and available odds on certain teams.
Yes. Many sportsbooks offer bracket challenges once the brackets and seeding are finally set. Stay tuned as information will become available closer to the tournament.
You can, yes. Women’s basketball is an officially sanctioned event, so sportsbooks will offer odds on the women’s March Madness tournament in states where betting on it is legal.
You can bet on March Madness in almost all states where sports betting is legal. Certain states — such as New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Virginia — do not allow bets on in-state college teams. Other states have limited options; you might have to be at a retail location.
A No. 16 seed has defeated a No.1 seed twice in the history of March Madness. UMBC defeated Virginia in 2018, and Fairleigh Dickinson upset Purdue in 2023.