Best March Madness Betting Sites 2025
We've ranked and reviewed the top March Madness betting sites for this year's tournament.
March Madness Betting Promos
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY), Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. (NC), Call or Text 800-889-9789 (TN).
- Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY, LA, NJ, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. T&Cs Apply.
- GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/ftball. Sponsored by DK.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Our Top 8 March Madness Betting Sites for 2025
| March Madness Betting Site | Our Sports & Markets Score |
|---|---|
| 1. BetMGM | 10/10 |
| 2. ESPN BET | 10/10 |
| 3. Caesars | 10/10 |
| 4. FanDuel | 9.75/10 |
| 5. bet365 | 9.75/10 |
| 6. DraftKings | 9.5/10 |
| 7. Fanatics | 9.25/10 |
| 8. BetRivers | 9.25/10 |
Running since 1939, the NCAA Tournament decides the champion of the Division I men's college basketball season. It features 68 teams, including 32 conference champions and 36 at-large bids. You'll have many schools and games to choose from when placing NCAA March Madness bets.
March Madness represents an exhilarating period for basketball enthusiasts and is often considered one of the best sporting events. It thrives on its unpredictability and dramatic upsets, uniting fans nationwide. The single-elimination format adds excitement to betting on March Madness, while bracket-filling traditions increase personal investment and fan engagement, making it a highly anticipated event for the best March Madness betting sites.
We're going to discuss the best online sportsbooks for March Madness. These best March Madness betting sites excel due to their features, app performances, college basketball offerings, and more. You can bet at these legal sportsbooks in many states (some states do not allow betting on in-state college teams). So choose the best March Madness betting site and start betting on the Big Dance!
Part of the excitement behind betting on March Madness online is the lucrative bonuses. A retail sportsbook and many mobile betting sites offer promotions to entice basketball and other sports bettors.
A welcome bonus is available to new depositors at March Madness betting sites. It normally consists of a no-sweat bet where you get bonus bets if your first bet loses or initial deposit bonuses, both of which are covered next. Many of these offers require a qualifying bet to be available. The bonus bets associated with welcome bonuses are usually added to your sportsbook account within a couple of hours.
These can come in the form of no-sweat first bets, deposit bonuses, bet-and-get offers, or profit boosts.
1. BetMGM Sportsbook for March Madness (10/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.6/10
- Top Features: Schedule for upcoming March Madness games
BetMGM stands out from the other best March Madness betting sites thanks to its reputation, availability, and great welcome bonuses. It offers good customer service, timely payouts, plenty of promotions, such as daily odds boosts, and licenses in 20+ states to allow you to bet on March Madness.
BetMGM offers a nice variety of March Madness betting options, including moneylines, totals, spreads, prop betting, and futures. Its app features a big live betting section (marked "Live") with many in-play wagers.
You'll have no trouble keeping track of upcoming March Madness games. This sportsbook app has a revolving schedule at the top, which shows how long you have until the next contest.
Our User Reviews
BetMGM is already offering excellent numbers on game props for the NCAA Tournament. Their rewards program is top-notch, and they also have one of the best betting apps. With their odds boosts and more to come, BetMGM has something to offer for every level of gambler.
You must appreciate their ability to meet new users halfway with new promotions at every turn.
The sheer volume of betting options available on NCAA Tournament events is eye-opening. If you want a prop bet on a March Madness game, you could have literally hundreds of picks to choose from.
BetMGM is committed to establishing itself as a premier sportsbook brand in the state, aiming to compete with well-known platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. Operating strictly within the bounds of sports betting regulations, BetMGM ensures a fair and secure environment for all players.
With diverse banking options for deposits and withdrawals in every market, BetMGM offers users a secure, reliable, trustworthy, and rewarding experience.
Pros & Cons
- Plenty of college basketball and March Madness betting types
- Big in-play betting section
- Great March Madness online reputation and customer support
- $20 minimum withdrawal (vs. $10 industry average)
2. ESPN BET for March Madness (10/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.2/10
- Top Features: Gamecast links to live games
As one of the newer March Madness sportsbooks, ESPN BET often has unique markets within its standard leagues, including the NCAA. We particularly like how easy it is to create alternative lines with its Move-the-Slider tool, which is available in nearly every matchup.
It's also the sportsbook with the most unique promotions, since it features specials and picks from ESPN TV personalities, so you can bet alongside your favorite analysts and win big.
Just in time for March Madness, ESPN BET just introduced live streaming for over 150K events.
Our User Reviews
It shouldn't be surprising that ESPN has not just a ton of sports to bet on but also many varied markets and types of bets within those sports. Both the men's and women's college basketball tournaments are covered well.
One of my only complaints about ESPN BET is that it can be difficult to connect with a real person using live chat for customer service, so keep that in mind when signing up for the tournament.
Pros & Cons
- Extensive unique promos that often tie in with ESPN shows and hosts
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go March Madness betting
- Easy navigation on mobile & desktop
- Live streaming now available in the app
- Customer service can be hard to reach at times
- Odds are solid, but not spectacular
3. Caesars Sportsbook for March Madness (10/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 7.1/10
- Top Features: Caesars Rewards
Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best March Madness betting sites; Caesars Rewards stands out from other sportsbooks' loyalty programs. It delivers points based on all of your sports betting action, whether it be on The Big Dance or another sport/event. You can bet on March Madness and redeem these points for rewards at the Caesars Sportsbook online or in retail sportsbooks.
The Caesars Sportsbook app's NCAA March Madness betting section is well organized. At the top, it provides sections for featured, scheduled, future bets, and live betting. The "Schedule" section is nice for keeping track of NCAA Tournament games and relevant betting opportunities.
Our User Review
This is one of the better March Madness sites, as you’ll receive dozens of daily odds boosts on numerous sports, including the NCAA Tournament. Caesars Sportsbook players will gain access to daily odds boosts, which are sure to make the NCAA Tournament that much more exciting. You’ll see dozens of these daily.
Caesars' welcome bonus for new users during the NCAA Tournament is simply unmatched.
Pros & Cons
- One of industry's best loyalty programs
- Well-organized app for March Madness online betting
- Plenty of March Madness betting markets
- Payouts are slightly slow
4. FanDuel Sportsbook for March Madness (9.75/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 9.1/10
- Top Features: FanDuel TV
Each March Madness betting site puts out articles and podcasts apart from March Madness bets and a usually generous March Madness bonus. But FanDuel is one of the few that have its own TV network. FanDuel TV provides you with news and advice on upcoming March Madness games.
Like other March Madness betting sites, FanDuel offers many betting opportunities for the Big Dance. It excels at offering futures bets and live betting at any point during the college season and other sports betting events.
Our User Reviews
Regarding March Madness betting sites, FanDuel is the best for new players. Their “Betting 101” guide provides visual and text content to teach new players the ins and outs of making wagers.
FanDuel Sportsbook offers a plethora of fantastic betting markets for March Madness. Still, it also has “Betting 101,” a guide dedicated to helping new bettors learn how to wager with visual and text content.
FanDuel has the best interface, and its software is among the safest and easiest. College basketball bettors trust FanDuel all season, and their odds are extremely competitive. With more props approaching, do not hesitate. FanDuel features one of the most secure sportsbooks worldwide, whether on a desktop or their app.
FanDuel keeps those NCAA Tournament betting promos rolling.
Pros & Cons
- FanDuel TV provides helpful tips & March Madness online news
- Wide variety of March Madness betting and futures odds
- Smooth-running app with helpful features
- No VIP program for college basketball sports bettors
5. bet365 Sportsbook for March Madness (9.75/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.9/10
- Top Features: Live streaming & betting
As one of the most popular operators in England, net365 sportsbook entered the US market on a high note. Although it is available only in some states, bet365 is an NCAA March Madness betting site already known for its great live betting and live streaming, early payout, and bet editor features for sports betting.
With such features and a wide selection of March Madness odds, it is no surprise that bet365 has quickly made the ranks as one of the best March Madness betting sites and picked up the liking of sports bettors across the USA. More importantly, sports fans can now sign up with this brand, join the March Madness betting site action, and place their March Madness wagering on their favorite team.
Our User Reviews
bet365 has to be included among the best NCAA Tournament betting promos. While it opts to minimize risk with its new-user March Madness promos, it is probably most well-known for its early cashout offers.
Sports to bet are on the left, including college basketball. Find the games you want in the center, and your betslip on the right will show you how much money you can make. "MyBet365" tracks all your winnings, losses, and more to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
The European giant offers a variety of sports that will make a new bettor’s head spin. Do not underestimate their bet builder or same-game parlays, which stack up favorably compared to the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel this March Madness season.
bet365 offers an immaculate live betting experience with an updated scoreboard to let you know what’s going on in the game and adds plenty of essential statistics. You even get a bet365 ticker that updates in real-time and is among the fastest NCAAB betting sites.
Pros & Cons
- Same-game parlay builder for March Madness betting
- Quick payouts available
- Strong live betting & live streaming tools
- No loyalty rewards program
6. DraftKings Sportsbook for March Madness (9.5/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.9/10
- Top Features: Quick same-game parlays
Same-game parlays (SGPs) are all the rage in NCAA March Madness betting sites and beyond. DraftKings has capitalized on this trend by offering a "Quick SPGs" feature. The Quick SPGs section provides all the sports betting options you need to combine March Madness bets and make same-game parlay bets in one handy spot.
DraftKings stands out from other March Madness betting sites due to its live betting, social features, and betting pools. DK Social lets you share the March Madness online tournament bets with friends. You can then make your March Madness wagering like a team and win or lose like one, too.
Our User Reviews
DraftKings brings the heat with all sports betting action, from college basketball and beyond. It floors it with its app, social interaction, prize pools, and more. While betting here, you’ll find that DraftKings Sportsbook has the best collection of prop betting markets. Not only are there numerous categories, but there are plenty of players to choose from.
DraftKings is ready for March Madness with special prize pools and other existing promotions. Sure, there are all those NBA, NHL, and MLB bets, but now, college basketball is the king.
Pros & Cons
- Quick SPGs for online sports betting
- March Madness Bracket pools and social features
- App to bet on March Madness is beginner-friendly
- App pages could load faster
7. Fanatics Sportsbook for March Madness (9.25/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.15/10
- Top Features: FanCash Rewards
Fanatics Sportsbook has some of our favorite, one-of-a-kind markets throughout the college basketball calendar. The home screen often features guest picks from celebrity sports fans and pre-packaged bets based on the latest NCAA trends.
While it may not have the depth of some of our other top March Madness sportsbooks, its mobile navigation, specials, and the opportunities to earn FanCash give it a slight edge.
Our User Reviews
Fanatics Sportsbook significantly enhances the NCAA tournament betting experience, featuring a variety of promotions tailored for college basketball fans.
Live streaming allows bettors to directly view important tournament games within the app, which is considered one of the best on the market. It's an excellent way to remain completely absorbed in the excitement of the games you're betting on.
For those aiming to accrue bonus bets, I recommend an early start to maximize the benefits of the Fanatics March Madness welcome offer.
Fanatics has most of the same March Madness markets as other top choices and offers markets like player props (where available).
Pros & Cons
- Covers key U.S. leagues like the NCAA very well
- Can earn FanCash with every bet
- Refunds player props for first-quarter injuries
- Not as many ongoing promos as other competitors
8. BetRivers Sportsbook for March Madness (9.25/10)
- Our Overall Gambling.com Score: 8.0/10
- Top Features: Daily odds boosts
BetRivers is among the most generous NCAA March Madness betting sites regarding bonuses and promotions. It offers a regular lineup of promos, including daily odds boosts on March Madness, bet credits, parlay reload bonuses, and coverage if your first bet loses. These promos go well with the iRush Rewards program, which provides many loyalty perks.
This sports betting site also offers a large live betting section combined with live streaming. In fact, the "Stream" and "Live" betting options are next to each other on the BetRivers app. Additionally, the app showcases featured college basketball games at the top. This aspect is helpful when you're searching for the next big March Madness game.
Our User Reviews
BetRivers' March Madness offerings are quite complete, offering either futures or props. There is a great overall depth in NCAA tournament markets.
BetRivers' markets for March Madness are fairly comprehensive, and the book usually offers more competitive odds than other NCAA Tournament betting sites.
Pros & Cons
- Frequent March Madness online daily odds boosts & promotions
- Quality live streaming
- Displays featured March Madness games
- Smaller welcome bonus
How We Grade & Rank March Madness Sportsbooks
Each of the March Madness sportsbooks covered above has its own strengths and weaknesses. We rate sportsbooks for the NCAA Tournament as we do for every other major sporting event. Our rigorous 10-step process ensures we only recommend licensed, secure, and trustworthy sportsbooks that have been regulated in your state.
We've signed up for all the top books available in the U.S., depositing real money, claiming sportsbook promos, analyzing odds, placing bets, and withdrawing winnings. After doing so, we grade each one in 10 different categories, including sports & markets, with a score out of 10.
We average them together to get an overall "Sports & Markets" score, which you see ranked above. We've also included the overall score for each sportsbook, which acts as a tie-breaker.
How to Bet on March Madness
March Madness Bet Types
Legal March Madness betting draws over $3 billion in wagers annually, making it one of the world's biggest sporting events. Betting on March Madness on betting sites and retail sportsbooks will only get bigger.
You'll have many March Madness betting options to choose from once the Division I Basketball Tournament tips off. The best March Madness sportsbooks update odds as the tourney rolls on.
Some states and respective March Madness betting sites also allow individual player props, such as over/unders on players' points or rebounds. Remember that some states do not allow betting on in-state college teams.
- Moneyline: Moneyline betting is the simplest basketball wager because it only requires picking the winning team. However, the odds will be different for the favorite and underdog.
- Futures: Futures betting revolves around a distant outcome that could be weeks or months away. For instance, an October preseason bet on March Madness would qualify as a wager. However, you'll still see plenty of futures available on March Madness betting sites after the event begins and progresses through the rounds.
- Point Spread: Spread betting, point spreads, or simply "spreads," assign a handicap to each side. The favorite will start with a point deficit (-6.5), while the underdog begins with a point surplus (+6.5). In this example, the favorite would need to win by seven points or more. Meanwhile, the underdog would have to lose by six points or less.
- Totals: Betting on the over/under is one of the most popular betting types. An online sportsbook sets a total line, and you bet over or under that mark. If you take the over on a 140.5 line, you'd need two teams to combine for 141 points or more.
- Props: Prop bets offer the chance to wager on outcomes besides final scores and winners. Examples of props include leading scorers, leading rebounders, and the John Wooden Award winner.
Prop Betting Restrictions for March Madness
In many legal sports betting states, U.S. sports bettors to place single wagers on college basketball teams.
But recently, there has been a nationwide push to restrict some types of bets on college basketball. Some states let you bet on every outcome, including prop bets. Other states, meanwhile, have implemented restrictions on prop bets in an effort to protect college players.
Props are markets on specific outcomes during a game. Often, prop bets have little bearing on the game's result.
Team prop bets are wagers on specific team totals. Props can include wagers on points for specific quarters or halves.
Individual player props are typically Over/Under bets on markets such as Total Points and Total Rebounds.
It’s important you know the rules in your state before placing any bets, and you should always check the individual NCAAB betting site to see what types of bets are offered.
| State | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Arizona Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Arkansas Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| Colorado Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Connecticut Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Delaware Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Florida Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Illinois Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Indiana Sportsbooks | Pregame College Props Only |
| Iowa Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Kansas Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| Kentucky Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| Louisiana Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Maine Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Maryland Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Massachusetts Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Michigan Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| Mississippi Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Montana Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| New Hampshire Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| New Jersey Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams* |
| New Mexico Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| New York Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| North Carolina Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| North Dakota Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed |
| Ohio Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Oregon Sportsbooks | No College Betting Allowed |
| Pennsylvania Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Rhode Island Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| South Dakota Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Tennessee Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Vermont Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Virginia Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Washington Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Washington D.C. Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| West Virginia Sportsbooks | No College Props Allowed |
| Wisconsin Sportsbooks | No Props on In-State Teams |
| Wyoming Sportsbooks | All College Props Allowed* |
*considering legislation to partially or totally ban prop betting on college players
How Does March Madness Work?
The NCAA Division I basketball tournament, often called "March Madness," is a single-elimination tournament that determines the national championship team at the end of the college basketball season.
Sixty-eight teams are selected in the men's and women's tournaments, which are organized into four regions with 16 teams that form a bracket. (In recent years, two play-in games have been added before the tournament officially begins to determine the "First Four" to advance in the tourney.)
Important Dates
Before you bet on March Madness online or create a bracket, here are some important details on the NCAA tournament:
- March 16: Selection Sunday
- March 18-19: Men's First Four
- March 19-20: Women's First Four
- March 20-21: Men's Round of 68
- March 21-22: Women's Round of 68
- March 22-23: Men's Round of 32
- March 23-24: Women's Round of 32
- March 27-28: Men's Sweet 16
- March 28-29: Women's Sweet 16
- March 29-30: Men's Elite Eight
- March 30-31: Women's Elite Eight
- April 4: Women's Final Four
- April 5: Men's Final Four
- April 6: Women's NCAA championship game
- April 7: Men's NCAA championship game
Latest National Champion Odds
Essential March Madness Betting Tips
One of the most fun things for any college basketball fan to do during March and April is selecting their brackets for The Big Dance. The betting favorites could determine the team with the best chance to win the March Madness tournament.
Testing your college basketball game expertise and using your betting knowledge is the key to your success in March Madness bracket betting.
Compare Odds
Some apps have very different tourney odds from each other, especially in the early going. You always want to find the best prices for betting on a college basketball game. You'll find the greatest discrepancies in the first round when matchups are more uneven.
Track Underdogs in Smaller Conferences
Some conferences don't get much publicity nationwide but still produce good teams. For example, the Horizon League (e.g., Milwaukee, Cleveland St., Oakland) doesn't receive much press. But did you know it has a 19-19 March Madness record since 1985, despite normally facing giants? Schools from under-the-radar conferences typically offer more value on March Madness online betting lines.
Watch for Reverse Line Moves
A reverse line move is when sportsbooks shift odds in an unexpected direction. For example, let's say that Virginia (-8.5) has 80% of the public betting action. Nevertheless, most gambling sites downgrade Virginia's spread advantage to -7. This move indicates that smart money is on the underdog, and you might want to consider joining the sharps.
Responsible Gambling on March Madness
March Madness is one of the most thrilling events in sports and can be enjoyed further with responsible gaming.
Remember: the NCAA tournament spans nearly a month. There will be emotional highs and lows, and it’s important to remain level-headed and responsible with your bankroll.
We suggest not wagering more than 1% to 3% of your bankroll on a single game. Assuming you only have $200 or so, then at least avoid betting more than 5% to 10% on one game.
Never chase your losses. Games begin early in the afternoon and can go well past midnight. If you have a rough day, don’t unload your entire bankroll, hoping to make all your money back. This is not responsible bankroll management; the last thing you want is to blow all your money on the first day of the tournament.
Remember that betting on in-state college teams is not allowed in some states.
Betting responsibly is key to enjoying March Madness.
More on March Madness Betting from Gambling.com
