Betting.us Editor-in-Chief Blake Roberts skillfully uses his background in statistics and sports knowledge base to create insightful betting guides. Blake was born in Morgantown, WV, and he has a community college degree in Statistics. His stamping grounds are the live betting platforms of West Virginia.
Best March Madness Betting Sites for 2024
By Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief
Updated: November 18, 2024
The Best NCAA Tournament Betting Sites and Apps
Betting on March Madness has never been easier, with more sportsbooks providing diverse markets for this yearly contest. Get your hands on an excellent feature-packed sportsbook by choosing from our rankings. Here are the best NCAA betting sites as rated by our expert staff.
| NCAA Tournament Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Bonus Code | Best Features | Site Rating | Secure Link | Legal In | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1500 Back In Bonus Bets | Not Needed | College basketball spread lines | ★ out of 5 | Bet Here! | AZ, CO, FL, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| DraftKings | Up to $1000 On First Deposit | Not Needed | NBA No Sweat Bet feature | ★ out of 5 | Bet Here! | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| BetRivers | Up to $500 Bonus Bet | SPORTS | Saturday parlay insurance for NCAAB | ★ out of 5 | Bet Here! | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV | Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Up to $1000 First Bet on Caesars | IGAMING1000 | Bet credit bonus on first deposit | ★ out of 5 | Bet Here! | AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NV, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| bet365 | Bet $5 & Get $150 In Bonus Bets | Not Needed | 2 Goals ahead early payout | ★ out of 5 | Bet Here! | CO, NJ, OH | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
Sports betting on the Men's NCAA Tournament is anything but easy money. For one, the betting brands have their own odds-scraping techniques that don't necessarily work in your favor. If you want to be at least semi-successful, you've got to learn how the US online betting sites operate, what kind of odds they lay, and what betting lines they offer.
The Best Sportsbooks to Bet on the NCAA Tournament by Category
| 🥇 #1 NCAA Tournament Sportsbook US | BetMGM |
| ✔️ Best NCAA Tournament Promo Code | Caesars |
| 🔝 Most Bets on NCAA Tournament | Bet365 |
| 🏅 Best Types of NCAA Tournament Bets | BetMGM |
| 📱 Best NCAA Tournament Betting App | Hard Rock Bet |
| 💸 Best PayPal NCAA Tournament Sportsbook | Bet365 |
A good way to narrow down the needs of a bettor is to categorizing each of the sportsbook options. This is an easy method to showcase their strengths and drawbacks along with their outstanding factors and features. It's then a simple task for the bettor to decide what is the best choice for them.
In line with the current trend, we have selected an appropriate sportsbook for those who prefer to bet on mobile. The emphasis on data and analytics for NCAA championship bets has motivated us to seek out betting sites who have a dab hand in this kind of service and know how to present the information in a user-friendly way.
Even in the sense of in-play wagering, you are not left completely on your own, as you have visualizations to help you plot out a successful NCAA tournament gambling strategy. All these fine nuances of the trade, first of all, we made sure are there for you to have, and second, we evaluated the smoothness of integration.
The Best NCAAB Tournament Betting Offer for December 2024
Top Recommended NCAA Tournament BetRivers Promo Code:
BetRivers
Up to $500 Bonus Bet
$500
SPORTS
AZ,
CT,
+12
Get Bonus
Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
Our Rating Criteria
Even though it's impossible to allow for all possibilities in a chance-dependent game, you should make sure you've done a good job of at least mitigating the known risks. What makes a user-friendly online betting site that gamblers like, became known to us after extensive research. With that in mind, we organized this review into distinct parts in which we talk about each separate aspect of NCAA championship bets and how to get the upper hand.
Security & Licensing
Live NCAA Tournament Betting
NCAA Tournament Betting Bonuses
NCAA Tournament Betting Apps
Payments and Payout Times
While for some the user experience and odds competitiveness are of the biggest significance, for others, the markets are the deal clincher. We made sure we looked into everything, and our selection of betting sites is a well-balanced one. All things considered, the top-rated operators in the current rank list are much different than the top NCAA betting sites in the US quality-wise. You can refer to both lineups for decent choices.
Security & Licensing
Most user concerns are not so much about market coverage and payment options, but about legality. It's not the least bit surprizing, given that regulation is very fragmented in the United States. There's no central body that grants licenses, and there needs to be a clue of centralization regulation-wise.
If you want to place a bet on an NCAA tournament, you will need to consult the local law to see if you are in your right to do that. Alternatively, you can just check if the betting site of choice signs players from your state. Here are some examples of gambling commissions.
American Gaming Association
Colorado Department of Revenue - Division of Gaming
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Gaming Division
Illinois Gaming Board
Indiana Gaming Commission
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
Michigan Gaming Control Board
Nevada Gaming Control Board
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
New York Gaming Commission
Louisiana Gaming Control Board
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council
Virginia Lottery
West Virginia Lottery Commission
We perform our checks in a way that ensures all shortlisted NCAA tournament betting sites are licensed beyond any reasonable doubt, at least at the moment of reviewing them. A gambling license is something that has to be renewed after it expires, so we can't guarantee that all operators here are going to keep their licenses. However, the likes of BetMGM for New Jersey players are making a mark as some of the premium platforms.
Live Betting on the NCAA Tournament
If you tune in right before the meet of interest starts, you will be able to see it among the upcoming live events. In case it has already started, go to the live betting section (also known as "in-play") and search it up. Here are some ideas on what you could put money on once you are at the live betting side of the sportsbook.
Bet Types:
- Money Line
- Spread
- Half Time Spread
- Quarter Spread
- Totals Over/Under
- Quarter & Half-Time Totals Over/Under
Find below most popular US sportsbook that offers live betting on the NCAA:
BetMGM
Up to $1500 Back In Bonus Bets
$0.10
Not Needed
21,
States
Bet Now!
Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
That live betting is popular is known to everyone; the real question is, is it for you? Can you handle the incoming information quickly enough to outsmart the sportsbooks' odds scraping system, or will it go over your head? All we are saying is that pre-match wagers can be placed in a much more stress-free setting, which makes them a better option for newbies.
NCAA Tournament Betting Props
Props can be just what you were looking for if you want a more creative way to bet on the NCAA basketball championship. They are particularly effective if you know your way around statistics and can use them to your advantage.
The typical prop bet doesn't is not asking of you to make a prediction of which team will come out on top. Instead, it's enough to know to give an accurate estimation of certain metrics like three-pointers scored, number of rebounds, etc. Here is our top recommended NCAA sportsbook that offers prop bets for US handicappers:
SugarHouse
Up to $500 Bonus Bet
$0.10
SPORTS
CT
Bet Now!
Valid only for new CT players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
Prop bets give you a unique angle to approach the Final Four games of March Madness. That is as far as the "why" question goes. The games can be too difficult to predict, so by shifting the focus on a certain aspect of the match you feel like you know more about, you can exploit your skillset better.
Premium platforms always offer prop bets across a number of sports to those that sign up. Many of the top-rated Indiana sports betting sites we recommend are known for this feature. Beyond prop bets, they have dedicated offers for new customers, house specials, odds boosts, and more.
NCAAB Futures
Many gamblers indulge in NCAA championship betting early on with hopes that they are going to hit it big while the odds prices are significantly higher. In actuality, before every stage of the Men's tournament, you will have pre-match odds you can take.
While those lines are not futures – per se – you could pack enough of a punch if you put more than one selection into a single betting slip (what's also known as a "parlay"). In any case, betting on the NCAA tournament involves a lot of futures, so don't worry about not having proper coverage in this regard.
Best March Madness Sportsbook Bonuses
Sports betting on the NCAA Tournament can be more enjoyable if done with bonus money that doesn't come out of your pocket. Not only do you get such perks when you sign up, but the top US sportsbooks also encourage you to stay active with hard-to-resist promotions. Take a look at the best online NCAAB Tournament betting bonus offers.
| DraftKings | Up to $1000 On First Deposit | Not Needed | $5 | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | Claim Bonus! | Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
Pick any of the above online betting offer to be safe in the knowledge that you are entering a deal with a licensed gambling operator. Furthermore, we checked where these offers are available. Check the "Legal States" column for that information. Other than that, the only other obstacle would be the minimum deposit, which is a very affordable sum – between $5 and $10.
The Top NCAA Tournament Betting Apps for US Players
There are quite a few software applications on the Apple Store that enable you to bet on the NCAA tournament. Android users can also follow along either on a downloadable app or a mobile-friendly website. The said mobile apps for betting give you the same goodies you'd expect from the online platform of a US sportsbook – live odds, many withdrawal options, and flawless customer service.
However, the availability of such apps varies by jurisdiction as mobile betting on sports is not always legal. Please find the top-rated NCAA betting apps in the USA in the table below:
| NCAA Tournament Betting Apps | NCAA Tournament Betting Bonus | Compatibility | Eligible States | Secure Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borgata - | Up to $100 In Bonus Bets | iOSAndroid, | NJ, PA | PLAY NOW! | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Caesars Sportsbook - | Up to $1000 First Bet on Caesars | iOSAndroid, | AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NV, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | PLAY NOW! | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
If, by law, you are only allowed to bet on mobile, then downloading an app might be necessary. There are a number of operators which offer NCAA basketball tournament betting that advertise their mobile apps very persistently. They wouldn't let you even see their odds prices outside their beloved mobile application. In that case, you also need to install their software to proceed.
Available Payment Methods – Deposits and Withdrawals
Taking care of financial business is a breeze at the NCAA tournament betting sites in the US. It's not rare that you find the option that feels the most natural to you. Debit cards are accepted by e-Wallets, bank transfers, pre-paid cards, and other special payment services created with online gamblers in mind. Take a look:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Maestro
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- Vanilla
- Bank Transfer
- eChecks
- Skrill
- paysafecard
- Cash
- Play+
- Apple Pay
- GAMEON
Everyone wants to be paid out quickly and without their money being in danger. These are the rules the NCAA tournament sportsbooks abide by. Not only do they give you convenient withdrawal methods suitable for any financial situation, but they also handle transfers in a professional manner. Make sure to verify your account and to ensure that you are requesting money to be transferred to a payment account you've already verified too.
The Top NCAA Tournament Gambling Sites with Fast Payout Times
What is fast and what is not in regard to payment times is subjective, so here's our take. The typical debit card transfer requires between two and five days. This isn't that fast if you want to use your winnings there and then. Instead, try a faster channel like PayPal. Yes, not all services are equally fast. Here are the top NCAA Tournament gambling sites in the USA with the fastest payout times:
| NCAA Tournament Gambling Site | Min. Deposit | Payout Times | Recommended Payment Method | All Deposit Options | Eligible States | Secure Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | $10 | 1-5 Days |
|
12 | AZ, CO, FL, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | BET NOW! | Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| DraftKings | $5 | 1-5 Days | 10 | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | BET NOW! | Valid only for new VA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
First, let us point out that when you place a bet on the NCAA tournament on any of these regulated digital sportsbooks, you don't need to worry whether or not your winnings will be paid. That is unless the money you want to withdraw is tied by the terms of a bonus offer.
Legality of Betting on March Madness
Although many states have legalized online sports wagering which makes it easy to bet on NBA games, it should be noted that there are additional restrictions on college sports in a handful of these states.
The NCAA itself takes issue with gambling on college sports as it only makes it difficult to preserve the morale in the organization and among student-athletes. This is why NCAA has established firm regulations that forbid involvement in any form of sports betting and prohibit the sharing of information related to such activities with those who participate or are connected to sports betting activities, whether they involve college, amateur, or professional athletic competitions. Notwithstanding, there are many online sportsbooks that lay odds on March Madness.
It should be noted that betting on college basketball occurs throughout the season in certain states. However, it remains entirely in the hands of each individual state jurisdiction in the country when deciding whether or not it should be legal to participate.
All US States with Legal Online NCAA Tournament Gambling Sites
Online NCAA Tournament Betting Guide for US Players
The landscape of sports betting in the United States is a complex and dynamic arena. There's no obvious one-size-fits-all solution that will make both legislators and betting proponents happy. There are a variety of nuances that can be difficult to navigate for people new to this field. Adding to the confusion are many misconceptions about what can and cannot be achieved in the world of gambling.
Make no mistake, when you bet on the NCAA tournament, you are doing just that – gambling. After we established that, it's easier to explain why we don't believe there's a strategy to hold on to. What you can do is follow the set of rules we laid out in the next paragraphs and remember to stop when the fun stops.
How to Bet on the NCAA Tournament for Real Money Online in the US?
- Choose an NCAA Tournament betting site – find an online sportsbook laying odds on March Madness.
- Open an Account – register on the website of a licensed online sportsbook.
- Make a Deposit – transfer money to your account by an accepted payment method.
- Consider the bonus offer – decide if you will claim the signup bonus or not
- Decide what game you want to bet on – make up your mind if you want to claim a bonus.
- Choose the type of bet – browse the March Madness betting lines.
- Place your bet – place, stake, review, and confirm your bet
- Wait for the results – wait until your wager is settled to see if you win
- Collect your winnings – wait for your winnings to be sent to your account
The Most Popular NCAA Tournament Bets for US Players
In order to make the correct decisions when you place a bet on the NCAA Tournament, you need to be well up on the types of available wagers for March Madness. They are not so dissimilar to what other sports can offer, but still, you have to put the information into the perspective of the tournament structure of March Madness to fully grasp how these wagers can be of use to you.
These betting lines are usually sorted into three tabs "Game Lines", "Futures", and "Awards". Here's more on each individual proposition:
-
Moneyline
Your only concern with this wager is which team will win the game outright. The odds here vary based on the perceived strength of each side.
-
Point Spread
This type of betting involves betting on the margin of victory or defeat for a particular team. The favorite is expected to win by a certain number of points.
-
Totals
The subject of speculation is the combined total points scored by both teams in a basketball game. The sportsbook sets a total number of points, and the bettor can either bet the total will be over or under
-
Props
The bet is on a specific statistic within a college sports game, such as the first team to score 10 points or the total number of three-pointers made by a player in a game.
-
Live Betting
If you have an account at a digital betting platform that has the in-play feature, you can place your wagers while the game is still played on recalculated odds.
-
Parlays
There are two types of parlays – same-game parlays and such that involve multiple games or even multiple sports. In essence, a parlay is when you stack multiple predictions into one wager.
-
NCAA Tournament Game Bets
Simply put, this is the tab with three sets of betting lines –spread, total, and money line.
There's no way of knowing how many of these betting lines will be available to you in a single sportsbook. You are right to expect most of these to be there as they are pretty essential. As far as props are concerned, as we said earlier, they are not the high point of sports betting on the NCAA championship.
Availability could also depend on factors like which teams will face off against each other. If they are a mismatch, this could impact not only the odds but also the wager types.
The Most Popular NCAA Tournament Teams to Bet on
March Madness is a colloquial term that refers to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination tournament taking place each year in the United States in March. A different venue is chosen each year, giving a chance for more fans from different corners of the country to get closer to the game.
The tournament features 68 college basketball teams from across the country, competing in a bracket format for the national championship. Betting is not allowed only in US states where the activity is illegal, to begin with. The rule for college team betting is slowly falling out of fashion too. Below are the colleges with the richest history in March Madness:
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Kansas Jayhawks
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- UCLA Bruins
- Baylor Bears
- Duke Blue Devils
- Indiana Hoosiers
The tournament is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and hard-to-predict sporting events in the world, known for its Cinderella runs by lower-seeded teams and high-scoring upsets. The intense, single-elimination nature of the Men's NCAA tournament, combined with the large number of games played in a short period of time, creates a festive atmosphere and a sense of frenzy among fans and bettors alike. The most intense stages of placing a wager are the First Four and the Final Four
When to Bet on Men's NCAA Tournament from the United States?
A total of six rounds are played if we don't count the First Four. In case you are not familiar with the term, these are the four games played to determine which will be the last four teams to join the lineup of 68 teams. There are seven rounds in total, and the top NCAA tournament betting sites will let you make predictions every step of the way. Remember to tune in on March 14 for the start of the 2023 edition of the Men's NCAA Tournament. Here are more details:
- When: March 14
- Where: Dayton, OH (First Four)
- Show Performance: To be Announced
You can support your favorite team or state with bets all the way to the coveted title, provided they are not eliminated. But what matters is that the best sports betting operators are doing a fantastic job of making March Madness the star of their propositions during the month of March. The games to watch out for are the First Four and the finals. Many clutch moments and the teams playing their hearts out can be expected during both stages.
NCAA Tournament Games – Seasons, Bets, Odds
Typically, the number of games played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, nicknamed March Madness, is 67, but that number is contingent upon the format of the tournament. Luckily, changes are announced ahead of time.
The rounds are as follows: First Four, then the first round of the actual event, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, National Championship. To find the best odds during each stage, you'll have to do a lot of shopping. It's not just the student-athletes who compete, the betting sites are also in a contest of their own, but their weapon of choice are the irresistible offers and odds prices.
Online vs. Land-Based NCAA Tournament Sportsbooks in the US
States like Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan have both land-based and online facilities for sports bettors. Of course, if you commit to just one of the two gambling avenues, you might find that something is missing.
If you can't have the best of both worlds because of how the gambling laws are laid out in your state of residence, then at least make a decision so that you will be able to bet on the NCAA tournament. Please consider the pros and cons we've listed below if you are having difficulties deciding which one is right for you.
Online NCAA Tournament Betting
- Easier to bet live
- Receive updates
- Access to relevant statistics
- Bet insurance and other promotions
- No immersive atmosphere
- No drinks and food around
- Might have difficulties finding a live stream
Land-Based NCAA Tournament Betting
- Easy check-in
- No registration
- Big TV screens
- Friendly staff helping you out
- Visit a physical location to bet
- Wait in line to place your bet
- Not so many promotions
Problem Gambling Help
To bet on the NCAA basketball tournament, you need to be able to take a few bad beats in stride and don't let them affect your overall plan. This comes with learning responsible gaming and the principles the concept stands for. However, sometimes your judgment gets clouded by emotion or by a compulsive gambling problem.
In any case, it's vital to remember there are ways for you to get out of that situation, but you've got to seek outside help from professionals. The national helpline is 1-800-522-4700 – operated by The National Council of Problem Gambling. Don't hesitate to call them in case of a problem. This could be the decision that turns your life around.
FAQ
We've reached the section in which we give additional answers and review what's already been said on the topic of NCAA tournament betting sites. Make sure you read them through because this is information that could make you reconsider your entire NCAA tournament betting strategy.
Which is the best sportsbook offering betting on NCAA Tournament?
Every sportsbook in the United States has a vested interest in laying the best possible odds on March Madness fixtures. Only the top NCAA tournament gambling sites in the US, however, get users' attention. What the typical bettor is looking for is good odds and accompanying promotions.
Which is the best online NCAA sportsbook in the US?
Firstly, you'll need to base your decision when selecting a March Madness betting site on a set of criteria. The things to look at are the signup bonus and how it applies to the NCAA tournament, then the betting lines and odds. All those should at least partially align with your liking.
What are the best NCAA tournament betting apps?
It's easy to find an app with NCAA tournament odds if mobile betting is a legal activity where you live. If we go at it with an analytical approach, the best choice depends on the compatibility, market availability, and ease of access provided by the apps.
What is the best way to make money betting on the NCAA tournament?
Acquaint yourself with the March Madness structure and matches in order to choose the best time to place your wager. There's not much else you can do, as the matches are very unpredictable. Stake your bets wisely so as not to compromise the integrity of your bankroll.
What are the best March Madness betting bonuses for US players?
There are quite a few March Madness betting bonuses, among which are free bets, insurance, and odds boosts. In addition to that, you are sure to find tailored promotions that can change the dynamic of your game plan completely. As always, of greatest importance is the welcome bonus offer.
Conclusion – Sign-Up to a Recommended Sportsbook to Bet on March Madness
All the gambling sites we reviewed are capable of delivering quality betting odds on the NCAA tournament and the customary promotions that we are used to seeing as handicappers. We recommend the top-rated operator in our ranking because we found it to bring the most value to the table.
Blake Roberts, a Morgantown native with a background in statistics, takes the position of Editor in Chief at Betting.us. He combines his love for sports and his knowledge of statistics to produce high-quality sports betting reviews. Blake enjoys evaluating online betting sites and believes that keeping a professional mindset in gambling is of utmost importance.
While it's safe to say that the sportsbooks we reviewed all end up being top-of-the-line and well-regulated, we don't want to discourage readers from trying something different within the boundaries of legal gaming. A nice way to diversify your gambling experience would be visiting the list of basketball sportsbooks for an extensive array of new and established platforms..