Known colloquially as March Madness, the college basketball tournament features 68 of the best teams across the US and Canada.
With the tournament seedings already set, and the first game commencing on 17 March, bet365’s interactive game challenges residents in the US and Canada to accurately predict the scores of each game.
The competition carries of a prize of $100,000 for the player who amasses the highest points tally, and a grand prize of $5m for anyone who can correctly predict the result of all 63 games.
Those wishing to register can do so through their account, and entries must be submitted before the opening round of fixtures on 17 March.
A number of other betting operators have also released their schedules and promotions for March Madness, including Bally’s Interactive and DraftKings.
Bally’s is offering a scarcely believable $100m to anyone who can accurately predict the results of all 63 games, something which has never been done before. The odds of winning the grand prize are, according to the NCAA, 9.2 quintillion, which is less likely than winning the lottery or being struck by lightning.
More realistically, Bally’s is also offering $100,000 in extra cash prizes for those individuals who claim the highest points totals. The cash prize will be handed out in installments, with one $50,000 winner, one $25,000 winner, two $10,000 winners and one $5,000 winner.
DraftKings has taken a slightly different approach to its promotional activity, partnering with VSiN to bring bettors an extensive schedule of broadcast and insight on the tournament.
Its programming, which ran over the bracket reveal weekend, aimed to help punters complete their bracket predictions and provide the best odds.
It is estimated $10bn is wagered on the tournament each year.
