Residents of North Carolina are gearing up for this year's NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments with a new twist - the ability to legally bet on the games through smartphone apps and computers for the first time. This marks a significant shift as the number of states allowing legal sports betting has been steadily increasing over the past six years, with a total of 38 states and the District of Columbia now permitting some form of sports betting, including 30 states that allow online wagering.
Previously, only Nevada allowed legal wagering on games during the 2018 college basketball tournaments until the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for expansion. However, the rules for sports betting vary by state, with some prohibiting bets on home-state college teams or specific player performances, while others allow a wide range of betting options.
As the NCAA tournaments kick off, fans are expected to wager a staggering $2.7 billion through legal sportsbooks, making March Madness a significant event for sports betting. The American Gaming Association reported that the total amount bet on all sports through legal wagering sites exceeded $121 billion in 2023, with operators reaping $11 billion in revenue.
Despite the legalization of sports betting in many states, some fans may still face restrictions on betting on their favorite teams and players. Approximately a dozen states prohibit bets on college games involving home-state teams, while others only allow bets on game outcomes, not player performances.
Several states have recently joined the sports betting trend, with Nebraska, Kentucky, Maine, Florida, and Vermont launching or expanding sports betting operations. North Carolina, which previously allowed sports betting only at tribal casinos, recently permitted online sports wagering statewide.
Looking ahead, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Minnesota are among the states considering legislation to legalize sports betting. Mississippi is also contemplating expanding to online betting. Despite the progress, sports betting remains illegal in a dozen states, prompting some residents to cross state lines to place bets legally.
As the landscape of sports betting continues to evolve, the NCAA tournaments serve as a focal point for fans and bettors alike, highlighting the growing popularity and impact of legal sports wagering across the country.
