Last updated on: March 25th, 2025
Legal March Madness Betting Sites In 2025
March Madness has been known as one of, if not the most bet on sporting event each year and it isn’t hard to see why as there is nothing better than 66 teams battling it out to cash their odds of winning. These betting sites have tons to offer in the odds department that isn’t just betting on normal gamelines and futures odds. They have player props and game props available as well. Other than the odds though, you can enjoy several other benefits that these legal March Madness betting sites offer to ensure a great betting experience. When using Bovada, BetOnline, and the other legal March Madness sportsbooks we recommend, there are no restrictions for betting on in state college basketball teams including player props.
- Bovada is the best answer for where to bet on March Madness in 2025
- Claim up to $1,000 on a 50% Bovada match with code BVD1000 to bet on NCAAB
- Deposit with Bitcoin, credit cards, Venmo, Cash App and more at Bovada, BetOnline
- Bovada offers a $80,000 March Madness bracket contest to US residents with no entry fee
- Connecticut opened as the 2025 March Madness betting favorite with +400 odds at Bovada
Yes, betting on March Madness is legal in many states across the U.S. and countries around the world. As of 2025, about 40 30 states allow legal sports wagering, either through retail sportsbooks, legal online sportsbooks, or both. However, some states have restrictions on college sports betting, including player props or local college teams. If you’re in a state with legal sports betting, check with your sportsbook to confirm available March Madness wagers. The laws are against them in some cases, but bettors have alternate sportsbooks to choose from to find whatever bet they are looking for.
| Rank | Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Exclusive 50% Bonus Code up to $1000!Read Review | BVD1000 in Cashier |
| 2 |  |
50% Up To $1,000Read Review | Visit BetOnline! |
| 3 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit MyBookie! |
| 4 |  |
100% Up To $300Read Review | Visit Xbet! |
| 5 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit SportsBetting! |
Bovada Review
- Bet on March Madness at Bovada starting at 18 years old
- Bovada allows betting on in-state teams for March Madness
- Bet on player props for every team in March Madness at Bovada
- Grab up to $1,000 in promo credits on a 50% deposit bonus for betting on March Madness with code BVD1000
- Use the Prop Builder at Bovada to create same-game parlays for March Madness
BetOnline Review
- Bet on March Madness game lines and futures at BetOnline with no restrictions
- BetOnline offers 18+ legal March Madness betting in all states outside of New Jersey
- With code BET55, players can get up to $1,000 (55% match) for betting on March Madness
- Create parlays from any single March Madness game with the new prop builder at BetOnline
- BetOnline accepts Bitcoin, credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and more for easy depositsess with code BVD1000
- Use the Prop Builder at Bovada to create same-game parlays for March Madness
MyBookie Review
- March Madness betting odds are easily available at MyBookie for the 2025 tournament
- US residents in 46 states (not NV, NJ, NY, or PA) can bet on March Madness at MyBookie
- Use MyBookie to bet on game lines, live odds, player props, and tournament futures
- New players at MyBookie can get a March Madness sports betting bonus of up to $1,000
- MyBookie allows players in all accepted states to bet on in-state teams for March Madness
DraftKings Review
- DraftKings Sportsbook offers March Madness betting at 21+, but there are some restrictions for players in most states
- DraftKings does not accept players from AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WA, WV, or WY
- Player props for March Madness are not offered by DraftKings in the following states: AZ, CO, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, or VT
- DraftKings does not allow betting on in-state teams for March Madness in CT, DC, IL, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OR, VA, VT, and WA
- Some states restrict DraftKings from accepting credit card sportsbook deposits for betting on March Madness
FanDuel Review
- March Madness betting is available at FanDuel to players over the age of 21 in 23 states
- FanDuel does not allow betting on in-state college teams for March Madness in NJ, IL, DC, NY, CT, MA, VA, or VT
- Any players who reside in CO, AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, MS, PA, OH, TN, VT, or VA cannot bet on any March Madness player props at FanDuel
- FanDuel’s March Madness sportsbook bonus is up to $150 in bonus credits if your first bet of $5 or more wins
- March Madness betting is available from FanDuel from any iPhone or Android device
SportsBetting Review
- SportsBetting accepts players and offers March Madness odds in all 50 states
- There are no March Madness restrictions at SportsBetting, meaning you can even bet on in-state teams and player props
- The age to bet on March Madness at SportsBetting.ag is 18 and up in 2025
- SportsBetting.ag gives new players up to $250 in promo credits to bet on March Madness
- Accepted SportsBetting deposit methods include Bitcoin, debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfers
BetMGM Review
- BetMGM accepts players from AZ, CO, IN, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MA, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, DC, WV, WY, WA, and NV, but there are some restrictions
- Players from AZ, CO, LA, MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV are not allowed to bet on March Madness player props
- Betting on in-state teams for March Madness is not available at BetMGM from AZ, CO, LA, MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV
- BetMGM offers a live 24/7 customer support service for anyone who has trouble depositing or betting on March Madness
- The legal age to bet on March Madness through BetMGM is 21 and up in most states
Caesars Review
- Caesars Sportsbook offers March Madness betting odds to players over the age of 21
- Use Caesars to bet on March Madness from 23 states plus DC (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, OH, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, WY, VA, and WV
- Player props from March Madness games are not allowed in AZ, CO, LA, MD, MA, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV
- Caesars does not allow any betting on in-state teams from DC, IL, ME, MA, NJ, NY, and VA
- Download the Caesars app for betting on March Madness from any iPhone or Android
Are March Madness Brackets Legal?
March Madness brackets are perhaps the most common form of betting on the NCAA Tournament. They are completely legal in every state no matter if they have state-regulated sports betting or not. They can be done either with friends for cash prizes, or simply for fun. They could also be done in different, bigger groups as well which offer huge grand prizes. Other bracket tournaments are also found at legal sports betting sites such as BetOnline which holds a Sweet 16 bracket challenge every year.
What Is The Legal Age To Bet On March Madness?
The legal age to bet on March Madness is 18+ at offshore betting like Bovada and BetOnline and is typically 21+ at state-governed sportsbooks such as FanDuel and DraftKings. The only states with 18+ betting sites that are locally governed are Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. Washington DC sportsbooks also allow people to bet on March Madness if they are 18 years old or older. Overall, the legal March Madness betting age is 18+ throughout the country because internationally-based platforms accept players nationwide.
NCAA Tournament Futures Odds
While online betting sites offer March Madness odds year round, the best odds can be found after the selection process is completed. Check out the current legal college basketball betting odds and other legal March Madness props for the best tournament in sports.
- National Champion 2025
- Duke (#1) +220
- Florida (#1) +375
- Auburn (#1) +500
- Houston (#1) +500
- Alabama (#2) +1600
- Tennessee (#2) +1600
- Michigan State (#2) +2200
- Texas Tech (#3) +2200
- Maryland (#4) +3000
- Arizona (#4) +3500
- Kentucky (#3) +5000
- Mississippi (#6) +5000
- Michigan (#5) +6500
- BYU (#6) +7000
- Purdue (#4) +7000
- Arkansas (#10) +7500
Best 2025 March Madness Sportsbook Bonuses
Before choosing a sportsbook to bet on March Madness in 2025, it is important to know all of the legal sports betting bonuses available. US players in all 50 states can claim bonuses for betting on college basketball. Take advantage of our exclusive Bovada March Madness bonus with code BVD1000 for a 50% deposit match up to $1,000 with a 10x rollover attached.
Other sportsbooks accepting US players offer deposit match promos as well, making March Madness line shopping realistic. As the tournament takes place throughout March and the beginning of April, these betting sites offer reload bonuses as well. BetOnline offers a lifetime 35% crypto deposit match up to $350 on each deposit.
Legal March Madness Deposit Methods
Before you can actually get started with betting on March Madness, you’ll need to choose one of the many sportsbook deposit methods available. These deposit options range from everyday methods such as big named credit and debit card brands to several different cryptocurrencies. The legal betting sites that take all wagers on March Madness recommend using Bitcoin, as there are no fees with this method for any transactions that occur in the US.
- Credit/Debit (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX)
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Etc.)
- MatchPay
- Voucher
- Wire Transfer
- ECheck
Betting On March Madness With Cryptocurrency
While there are plenty of financial options when it comes to depositing or withdrawing into your March Madness betting accounts, none of them compare to cryptocurrency. Crypto sports betting has been one of the most convenient ways to bet on March Madness for several years and it isn’t hard to see why. First off, there are no extra fees linked to your transactions, quick processing times that are usually faster than other methods, and well over 10 to choose from depending on which site you look to bet with.
States With Legal March Madness Betting
NCAAB betting is available in states with legal sports betting for 2025. This means that residents of all 50 states can bet on March Madness from their phones with mobile sports betting sites like Bovada and BetOnline. For the most restriction-free college betting experience, check out Bovada, SportsBetting, and MyBookie, as they accept players from all 50 states together.
Why Does My Sportsbook Not Offer March Madness Odds
If you are playing from a locally regulated state, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM do not allow many forms of college basketball betting. The restrictions vary from no in state college betting, no college betting of any kind, and no college player prop betting. Bovada, BetOnline, and other March Madness sportsbooks that are licensed overseas have absolutely zero restrictions on college betting and take players from all of the same states and more. You can even bet on in state college player props in Oregon or other strictly regulated states when using Bovada.
States Where Commercial Sportsbook Apps Restrict March Madness Betting
- Arizona – No March Madness player prop betting
- Colorado – No Match Madness player prop betting
- Delaware – No betting on in state college teams/players
- Illinois – No online betting on in state college teams and no online or in person player prop betting on in state teams
- Indiana – No in state betting on college player props
- Iowa – No college player prop betting on any teams
- Mississippi – No mobile college betting
- New Hampshire – No betting on in state teams of any kind
- New Jersey – No college basketball betting on any in state teams
- New York – No college betting/player prop betting on NY schools
- Oregon – No college basketball betting of any kind
- Pennsylvania – No college player prop betting
- Rhode Island – No betting on college basketball of teams in the state
- South Dakota – No in state college betting including player props
- Tennessee – Game lines only: no player/game props betting on college teams
- Virginia – No in state betting on college basketball games/player props
- Washington – No college betting on in state teams
- Washington, D.C. – Betting on DC college basketball is not permitted
- West Virginia – No college player prop betting
- Wisconsin – No betting on in state college basketball teams
March Madness Selection Criteria
The full March Madness bracket is revealed on CBS’s annual Selection Sunday show. Every Division I conference championship winner (32 total) earns an automatic bid to the tournament, while the other 36 at-large participants are selected by a 10-member committee, which is composed of athletic directors and conference commissioners from 10 different conferences. This committee is also responsible for seeding the bracket, designating regions, and determining matchups. There is a deal of mystery surrounding the process, which occurs behind closed doors, but we do know that the committee looks at a wide variety of factors when selecting at-large teams and seeding. Ranked by estimated importance, the primary factors for selection are:
- Strength of record (win-loss record adjusted for strength of schedule)
- Computer metrics and rankings
- Subjective committee analysis (the “eye test”)
- Record in true road games
- Overall strength of schedule
- Non-Conference strength of schedule
- Extenuating circumstances that might affect results (i.e., a suspension or injury to a star player)
The goal of the committee is to get the 36 best at-large teams into the field, regardless of which conference they play in or how big their national brand is. In recent years, the committee has also attempted to remove certain criteria that many perceived as unfair, including valuing end-of-season games more than games at the beginning of the year and showing favoritism toward teams with a weak strength of schedule and a good overall record. The only real concrete restriction remaining is that tournament teams must have a record above .500.
Live Betting On March Madness
As one of the best ways to get in on the action in March, live betting sportsbooks are available and accept wagers for all of March Madness. They are odds that continuously shift throughout the game based on each team’s performance in that very moment. What many bettors do is use this as an opportunity to hedge their bets in the event that the original bet they place is headed south.
Mobile Betting On March Madness
You will never be left in the dark when it comes to finding odds on March Madness as they are all available to you right from your phone. All of the March Madness betting sites on this page are each compatible with several mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets that all have access to the internet. The main thing to note is that none of the betting sites on this page have downloadable applications, the way you access them is through the web browser on your device. Some of the devices that can be used to access these mobile sportsbooks are:
- iPhone
- Android
- Samsung Galaxy
- Google Pixel
- Microsoft Surface
- iPad
- LG Wing
- Galaxy Tab
iPhone March Madness Betting Apps And Sites
Betting on March Madness with an iPhone is easy, as the online sportsbooks are available throughout the US. These sportsbooks tend to operate outside of the App Store, but there are also sportsbooks available on the App Store. Generally, the sportsbooks on the App Store are the ones located in states that have sports betting regulated, while the ones that are not are international, and tend to have better player props.
Android March Madness Betting Apps And Sites
Android bettors can wager on March Madness with their phones with no worries. The best international sportsbooks exist on the internet, which means you can access them on your mobile browser. These sportsbooks are not the only option – there are also state-regulated sportsbooks that exist on the Google Play store, but the international sportsbooks are more widespread.
Legal March Madness Wager Types
Before you overwhelm yourself and worry just about brackets, you should also understand legal March Madness betting. The single-elimination tournament is known for the Cinderella story of a team who went further than anticipated, the top dog who gets booted too early, and the streaking team who can’t seem to lose. Just ask participants of legal Florida sports betting, after Miami and FAU snuck into the Final Four in 2023. All of these can be gambled upon – it is just a matter of which style of betting you will participate in.
- Point Spreads – Every game has a spread, which is the expected result for the difference in points at the end of the game. The favorite will have a minus symbol (-), which is their projected winning margin. The underdog will have a plus symbol (+), which is their expected losing margin. A successful bet happens by picking the winner after the final score is adjusted by the spread. If the game ended exactly as anticipated, this would be considered a “push”. In that case, all bets would be void and your wager would be returned.
- Moneyline – The most straightforward way to wager would be to bet on the moneyline. Moneyline betting is simple as no spreads occur – you are only picking the winner of the game outright. Like spread bets, the team with the negative is the favorite and vice versa. The odds indicate the payout. For example, online sportsbooks show -150 for Gonzaga and +125 for Ohio State. Wagering on Gonzaga would need a bet of $150 to win $100 in profit, while those taking the underdog odds could profit $125 on a $100 wager.
- Total Points – Many times for basketball, the spreads can be difficult to determine because of last-second points. Likewise, game-winning shots can change the result in the last second. The speed of the game is another option you have when looking to legally bet on the NCAA Tournament by betting on the total points scored. Some basketball teams like to slow the pace and play every possession to the extent of the shot clock while others like to get a shot off as quick as possible. These styles of play make it easier to win money betting and determine trends in total points scored.
- Player Props – Player props are odds on specific players in the game. You have several options to choose from when betting on player props as well. That includes player point totals, odds on which player is going to score the first basket, total rebounds, total assists, player futures for the tournament MVP, and much more.
- Team Props – Similar to player props, team props lets you bet on one specific team from many different angles. You can bet on different teams point totals, their first and second-half odds, alternate betting lines on the spread and point total, in addition to plenty of others. The great thing about team props, specifically team total points is that you can use those to gauge the total points in the game as well.
- Futures – Futures betting is one of the more popular bets that you can make as it is betting on the outcome of the tournament itself. You can bet on futures odds a full year in advance as the odds for March Madness open right when the prior tournament finishes. Futures odds also extend to betting on the different region outcomes, tournament MVP, team to score the most points, and much more.
March Madness Betting Trends
#1 Seed Betting Trends
Itching to capitalize on a possible upset from the #16 seed? The odds may be high but the probability is extremely low. Throughout the entire history of March Madness, a number one seed has only lost in the first round to a 16 seed two times (2018 when the Virginia Cavaliers lost to the UMBC Retrievers and 2023 when Purdue lost to FDU). All stats below are taken from when 16 seeds were added to the tournament in 1985.
- #1 seeds are 150-2 against the 16 seed since they were added in 1985.
- #1 seeds won two games 86% of the time, exiting the first weekend 2-0.
- Only eight times have two #1 seeds have met in the Championship Game.
- None of the #1 seeds made the Final Four in either 2006 or 2011, or 2023.
- Public data shows brackets average 1.8 #1 seeds in their Final Four.
#2 Seed Betting Trends
- #2 seeds in the weakest #1 seed’s quadrant make the Final Four more often than the #1 seed.
- The public averages one #2 seed in the Elite 8 every season and 0.5 #2s in the Final Four.
The 8 Vs. 9 Matchup
The eight and nine seeds are practically split over the last 30+ years of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. However, it is the next round where the data gets interesting. If winning the first round, 8 seeds have a 9.7% win rate to get to the Sweet 16. As for the 9s, they have a 4.9% win rate.
- 9 seeds hold a slight advantage over 8 seeds, winning 50.7% of games since 1985.
- One 8 seed has won the Tournament while five teams ranked eighth have made the Final Four.
- Only one nine seed has made it to the Final Four, who ended up losing in the Championship.
How Many Upsets Happen Each March Madness?
If you are looking to capitalize on some longshot upsets during March Madness, it’s good to look at the tournament’s upset averages. When it comes to betting on the bracket, keep in mind that an annual average of 12.7 upsets happen each year during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The fewest upsets that occurred in March Madness was four in 2007 and the most being 19 in 2014.
Upsets Per Round In The Men’s Basketball Tournament
| Round: | Average Upsets: |
|---|---|
| Total Upsets | 12.4 |
| First Round | 6.2 |
| Second Round | 3.7 |
| Sweet 16 | 1.7 |
| Elite Eight | 0.5 |
| Final Four | 0.2 |
Betting On The Cinderella Team
A team ranked #7 to #11 is the best place to find a Cinderella team. In fact, in every year but two since 2011, the Final Fours have seen a #7-#11 seed make it.
- 11 seeds are almost even against six seeds over the last decade.
- #12s can dominate early on, but are 1-20 overall in the Sweet 16.
First Round Upset History
| Matchup: | # Of Upsets: |
|---|---|
| No. 10 seed over No. 7 seed | 59 |
| No. 11 seed over No. 6 seed | 59 |
| No. 12 seed over No. 5 seed | 53 |
| No. 13 seed over No. 4 seed | 32 |
| No. 14 seed over No. 3 seed | 22 |
| No. 15 seed over No. 2 seed | 11 |
| No. 16 seed over No. 1 seed | 2 |
Second Round Upset History
| Matchup: | # Of Upsets: |
|---|---|
| 6 seed vs. 3 seed | 29 |
| 7 seed vs. 2 seed | 27 |
| 10 seed vs. 2 seed | 19 |
| 11 seed vs. 3 seed | 18 |
| 8 seed vs. 1 seed | 16 |
| 12 seed vs. 4 seed | 13 |
| 9 seed vs. 1 seed | 6 |
| 13 seed vs. 5 seed | 3 |
| 14 seed vs. 6 seed | 2 |
| 15 seed vs. 7 seed | 4 |
Final Four Betting Trends
Look to make number 11 the mindset going into making a bracket or betting on March Madness. In the last few decades, the sum of the seeds in the Final Four has averaged 11 but the possibilities and combination of teams can be mind-boggling. Many look at KenPom rankings – which are a great indicator. However, if betting once the tournament has begun, look for teams that are doing well against the spread in the tournament.
| NCAA Tournament Champions: | ATS In Tournament: |
|---|---|
| 2024 Connecticut | 6-0 |
| 2023 Connecticut | 6-0 |
| 2022 Kansas | 3-3 |
| 2021 Baylor | 5-1 |
| 2020 | canceled |
| 2019 Virginia | 3-3 |
| 2018 Villanova | 6-0 |
| 2017 UNC | 3-2-1 |
| 2016 Villanova | 6-0 |
| 2015 Duke | 6-0 |
| 2014 UCONN | 6-0 |
| 2013 Louisville | 4-2 |
| 2012 Kentucky | 4-1-1 |
| 2011 UCONN | 5-1 |
| 2010 Duke | 5-1 |
General NCAA Tournament Betting Trends
- 1 Seeds have gone 22-12 in the National Championship game.
- Seeds 6, 7 and 8 all have one National Championship.
- 4 seeds have made the final four times and have two wins.
- 5 seeds have made the National Championship four times and lost all four.
- 15 seeds have only made the Sweet 16 twice.
- 5 seeds have gone 8-2 in the Elite 8
- Seeds 13-16 have never made the Elite 8.
- 11 Seeds have gone 0-4 in the Final Four.
- There are over 65,000 ways to fill out a bracket.
- Teams that make their first National Championship often find themselves losing.
- The Eastern time zone has claimed well over 90% of the last two decade’s championships.
The Effects Of Travel During The NCAA Tournament
An interesting thing sports bettors should note when looking to bet the over during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is how well teams fare when playing close to home. Teams that play closer to home end to play better offensively. Both underdog and the favorites that play closer to home are more likely to cover the spread according to MyBookie.
- In the 2018 Elite 8, #11 Loyola-Chicago played #9 Kansas State in Atlanta. Loyola-Chicago was up 12 by halftime and even more to end the game. Traveling from Manhattan, Kansas, the Wildcats required a longer flight and saw a time zone change.
- In the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Oregon played in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in San Jose, California, just a short distance from their home base in Eugene, Oregon. They defeated Michigan and Kansas, as the Ducks’ familiarity with the time zone and venue helped propel them to the Final Four.
These examples show that teams who travel less in the later rounds often perform better in close matchups. The fatigue and disruptions that come with long travel can be pivotal in tight games between teams of similar skill levels.
Legal March Madness Payouts
Getting paid out from an online sportsbook after cashing your March Madness ticket is another step that you need to familiarize yourself with. While there are many online sports betting withdrawal methods up for grabs, some options are better than others. The sportsbooks taking March Madness bets from all US players do not always offer payouts back onto your debit card. Cryptocurrency, P2P apps, and bank transfers are the most commonly used withdrawal methods at March Madness sportsbooks.
- Cryptocurrency
- Check by courier
- Wire Transfer
- Money Order
- Voucher
- MatchPay
Requesting A withdrawal From A Legal March Madness Betting Site
Payouts are the first thing you think of after cashing a March Madness betting ticket and the main thing that you should know how to do is request a payout. Requesting a payout is not hard at all as there are just four steps for you to follow to get it done. The entire process can be found right here.
- Click the “payouts” tab on your betting account
- Choose the withdrawal option that you want to use
- Insert the dollar amount of how much you want withdrawn
- Confirm you are requesting a withdrawal from your account
Are Online Betting Sites With March Madness Odds Safe?
Yes, you have absolutely nothing to worry about when using these legal March Madness betting sites as they each take safety to a new level. They each use several different encrypted links that are there to secure both the web browsers of the betting site as well as the servers on your end. With them in place, all of your information is protected from financial information to personal information, and much more you won’t ever need to worry. Also, they have 24/7 customer service that is there to help answer any questions you might have regarding your safety.
Legal March Madness Betting FAQs
How Can I Watch March Madness?
Those that bet on March Madness games will want to watch how their wagers play out. There are a few different avenues that bettors can go about this. Every single game will be broadcast by either CBS, TBS, truTV, or TNT. If you have a cable package but don’t have access to a TV you can always use the site or app known as March Madness Live. However, if you don’t have access to cable at all, there are several other ways to stream the games. The most popular services to handle that would be Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and of course fuboTV.
Can I Bet On March Madness From My College Dorm Room?
It depends on your location and your school’s policies. Many states have laws regulating sports betting, and some explicitly prohibit betting on college sports or betting while on a college campus. Additionally, some universities have rules against gambling on campus, even if it’s legal in your state. We recommend trying and if they don’t stop you, it’s probably ok. To be sure, check, state laws, university policies, and the sportsbook’s terms.