The survey, conducted by Morning Consult, found that 47.4 million US adults will wager on the tournament, around the same number that indicated they would bet on the 2019 tournament.
But how Americans will bet on March Madness is expected to change dramatically, with 17.8 million to place a bet online, and 8.3 million to place a bet at a physical sportsbook. Those figures represent rises of 206% and 79% respectively from 2019.
A total of 30.6 million Americans meanwhile will place more traditional bets on this year’s competition, a 58% rise from 2019.
Since March Madness 2019, 65.4 million more Americans have gained the opportunity to bet legally in 13 new jurisdictions.
“The sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since 2019 - and as a result, tournament betting has transformed,” said AGA president and CEO Bill Miller. “As consumers formerly limited to bracket contests now enjoy access to legal sportsbook options, they also plan to place traditional sports bets as March Madness returns.”
“With more legal, regulated sports betting options than ever before, millions of customers now have safer ways to enjoy all the fun and suspense only March Madness provides.”
