Sports Fans Expected To Bet More On NCAA Tournament Than Super Bowl: REPORT
The NCAA Tournament is expected to put up some monster gambling numbers.
March is arguably the greatest month of the year for sports fans, and it's absolutely the best time of year for basketball fans.
There is pretty much nonstop basketball once the conference tournaments start, and from the Thursday morning of the opening round through Sunday night of the opening weekend, there is nonstop action.
It's a time for great food, drinks, time with friends, plenty of basketball……..and lots of gambling.
The NCAA Tournament will bring in billions in wagers. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
NCAA Tournament will generate big gambling numbers.
An analysis from the American Gaming Association projects $2.72 billion will be wagered on the men's and women's tournaments, according to ESPN.
That number doesn't include conference tournaments and appears to only apply to legal gambling. The number could be significantly larger once under the table bets are included.
Last year's data from the AGA indicated a staggering $15.5 billion would be bet once standard bets, bracket pools and off-the-books bets were taken into account.
The estimated $2.72 billion that will be wagered also dwarfs what was legally gambled on the Super Bowl this year. The analysis claims $1.4 billion was bet on the Super Bowl. The NCAA Tournament will nearly double it.
How many people will gamble on March Madness? (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
March Madness is a haven for degenerates. Whether it's partying during games or betting more money than you admit to the girlfriend, people simply can't get enough of the games.
It's the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and the fact more than $2.7 billion will be wagered (not including everything the official books don't know about) warms my soul.
It's a reminder that nothing hits like major college sports. Yes, the Super Bowl is the biggest event of the year, but it's one game. A single gambling opportunity. There are a total of 67 games played in the NCAA tournament. Endless opportunities to cook up the parlay of your dreams.
March Madness is a great time of the year for gamblers. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
Plan on gambling? Let me know if you'll be wagering at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.