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DunkOrThree > Basketball Betting Guide 2024 > March Madness Betting Sites 2024

March Madness Betting Sites 2024: Best NCAA Tournament Sportsbooks Ranked

Last Updated on 03.11.2024
Fact checked by: Emily Carter

There’s no sporting event quite like it. March Madness is a unique, fiery contest in which 68 of the finest college basketball teams in the country battle it out to create new sporting legends and crown new NCAA basketball champions.

March Madness betting sites can make this thrilling tournament even more interesting, especially when you consider it’s a prediction challenge distinct from any others. It’s therefore one which must be considered uniquely, both practically and in terms of betting strategy. The good news is that despite these complexities, many Americans will have plenty of excellent March Madness betting options.

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Discover the best basketball betting sites for 2024

Bet365
Recommended
Favicon
4.6/5
  • Over 35 sports.available
  • Competitive odds
  • Sports news and statistics
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
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Players from Virginia accepted
Go to Bet365
Bet now
Payment Methods
Find out more on Bet365.
Withdrawal
0 – 10 Days
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EGR – Operator of the year (2017)
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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BetMGM
Hot Offer
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4.6/5
  • Excellent variety of sports
  • Live streaming available
  • Cash Out feature
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to BetMGM
Bet now
Payment Methods
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
0 – 3 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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GGA – Digital Operator of the Year (2023)
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FanDuel
Hot Offer
Favicon
4.5/5
  • Great choice of sports.
  • SGPs, live streaming and Cash Out.
  • Outstanding mobile experience.
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to FanDuel
Bet now
Payment Methods
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
1 – 10 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
Global Gaming Awards (2022)
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Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
  • Good choice of major sports
  • Live streaming and Cash Out available
  • Prop bets and Same Game Parlays
Caesars Bonus
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Copy
Bet now
Payment Methods
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
+
Withdrawal
0 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
  • Live betting available
  • House specials on certain markets
  • Niche sports like lacrosse and Jai Alai available
BetRivers.com Bonus
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Copy
Bet now
Payment Methods
PayNearMe
Bank Transfer
VIP Preferred
+
Withdrawal
0 – 3 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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DraftKings
6.
Favicon
4.5/5
  • Great choice of sports available
  • Top option for parlay bets
  • DKN news and picks
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to DraftKings
Bet now
Payment Methods
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
+
Withdrawal
0 – 5 Days
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
EGR – Operator of the year (2023)
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BetFanatics
7.
Favicon
4.5/5
  • FanCash rewards when you wager
  • Betting on leagues like the NHL, NBA, and NFL
  • Live betting available
BetFanatics Bonus
Bet $100, Get $100 in Bonus Bets Every Day for 10 Days!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to BetFanatics
Bet now
Payment Methods
Skrill
Venmo
PayPal
+
Apps
License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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The legalities of betting on March Madness

To understand the legality of March Madness college gambling, it’s important to wrap your head around the laws in the USA more generally. The current state of affairs – whether we’re talking about March Madness bracket betting or anything else – comes from the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Essentially, this Act made online gambling, including college basketball betting, illegal in the overwhelming majority of the US.

In 2018, this was declared unconstitutional, allowing for individual states to decide for themselves for the first time whether they wanted to make gambling legal. Many of them have. However, that doesn’t necessarily provide a green light for March Madness betting sites.

Individual state laws, licensing, and regulation mean different rules and restrictions apply in different areas. Many states have chosen to allow sports betting but not college betting, and some restrict in-state college betting (so you can’t bet on games featuring teams from your area). It all depends on where you live, so be sure to check out the table below to discover if March Madness is legally available for you to bet on.

StateCollege betting available?Any additional restrictions?
Alaska, Alabama, California, Hawaii,
Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah
XN/A
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, TennesseeCollege player props are prohibited
Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, WyomingNone
ConnecticutBetting on in-state teams is not permitted unless they’re playing in a tournament with four or more teams
Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey. Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., WisconsinBetting on in-state teams is not permitted
MassachusettsBetting on in-state teams is not permitted unless they’re playing in a tournament with three or more teams
New YorkBetting on in-state teams is not permitted and college player props are prohibited
VirginiaBetting on in-state teams is not permitted, plus there’s no live betting on college sports allowed, and no college player props

March Madness sport gambling is one of the most popular betting events of the year for American states where sports betting is legal. If you’re unfamiliar with this one-of-a-kind tournament, this might be something of a surprise. After all, you would expect most of the attention to go to the professional leagues.

However, all the way from the opening games to March Madness final 4 online gambling, this is a sporting extravaganza which is extraordinarily entertaining to watch and bet on throughout. Here’s why:

🙌 Regional passion

One of the reasons this tournament captures the imagination of the nation and March Madness betting sites do such big business is that everyone has some team to root for. The fact there are 68 teams from all over the country means there’s a regional passion that ignites every game.

If you’re lucky enough to go to a game, then you’ll know what I’m talking about from the noise of the live crowd at virtually every contest. And of course, this is also really important for March Madness college gambling. More fans means betting sites are incentivized to be as competitive as possible in terms of odds and in providing their finest betting promotions. 

🐶 A showcase for underdogs

There’s arguably no tournament in sports that produces more unexpected winners. Put simply, there are so many untested variables here that it means that, unlike with tried and tested professional teams, the underdogs have a serious chance of making it further than anyone thought possible.

2023 saw the defending champions and number 1 seed drop out in the March Madness Sweet 16 online gambling markets. This is great if you’re looking at March Madness college gambling long odds markets, and, in general, it just makes for a more entertaining contest. 

👀 Simple format

This is a knockout tournament. Teams play until one remains, from 68 to those tantilizing March Madness final 4 online gambling odds. Simplicity is usually a good thing for online betting, and I’m sure March Madness betting sites will make the most of the one and done format. 

🏈 Huge number of games

I think the more basketball betting events for March Madness betting sites, the better. It means more people get to enjoy the games they’re most interested in. And, of course, there are more things for you to bet on. Well, 68 teams in a knockout tournament means a whopping 67 games of incredible action over a mere few weeks. March Madness betting sites will have no shortage of odds to offer you. 

⏱️ Timing of the tournament

Now, I think the likes of the March Madness elite eight online gambling options would be a hit regardless for all of the reasons above, but timing certainly helps. There’s not anything else really big going on in American sports in March between the Super Bowl and NBA playoffs. This means many American March Madness college gambling sites are going to go all-in on making this their top priority. 

Pros and cons of March Madness sport gambling vs professional leagues

Advantages
  • Teams from all over US
  • Simple knockout tournament
  • Immensely passionate fans
  • Very competitive odds
Disadvantages
  • Over too soon

Promotions and March Madness

If you’re in a state where betting on college sports is available, there are usually not too many other restrictions beyond some jurisdictions blocking betting on in-state teams and player props.

Deals are very much available, both from general sportsbook promotions and in the form of event-specific offers. This is especially the case when you get down to the likes of March Madness sweet 16 online gambling and beyond.

March Madness college gambling sites commonly use their best sportsbook promotions, like free bets, welcome offers, insurance promotions, bet boosts and special markets to attract you to them during this ultra popular event.

Bet365
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to Bet365
Get bonus now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to BetMGM
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to FanDuel
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
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4.5/5
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
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Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
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Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+

Tips for the sharpest March Madness strategy

Betting on March Madness may be simple in terms of the format of the tournament, but it remains one of the most unpredictable tournaments in the US. Now, this helps keep things exciting and can be advantageous if you’re able to spot the best quality odds when March Madness bracket betting.

By following these five simple March Madness college gambling tips, I think you’ll be much closer to making the smartest bets possible.

Be certain of what’s available in your state

I’ve made the first part of this simple for you. Check out my table on this page (just above here) to find out if college betting is available to you and if there are any other relevant restrictions to March Madness sport gambling. If not, make sure that when choosing a site that you ensure there’s no additional regional restrictions preventing you from playing.

Consider going early on futures

If you like to go for long odds, then in a tournament like this, the big returns are best found at the start. That’s really when there are the most unknown variables, so if you want to simply take a punt for the fun of it, and to provide entertainment throughout the tournament, going as early as possible can maximize your enjoyment. Your chances of winning may be small, but it might be an interesting way of using March Madness betting sites.

Research as much as you can

There’s more to find about NBA teams and players compared to college games. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find plenty of information on the teams you’re considering betting on. Just as is the case with all sorts of betting online, March Madness college gambling is something best enjoyed by an informed party.

Start by identifying weaker teams

March Madness is over quickly, so it’s a smart idea to try and wrap your head around the general field of teams to contextualize your predictions. I’d say one of the easiest ways of doing this is by selecting several weaker teams that you don’t think are likely to go very far. From there, you can go through the rounds across March Madness elite eight online gambling all the way to the finals, making a logical step-by-step series of predictions. This can provide a baseline from which to build your bets.

Pay attention to where games are played

The fans can be rowdy and the atmosphere electric, and that’s why the home field advantage can have a big impact on the result of a game. Before you place a bet, don’t forget to take a look at where the game is actually happening, and take that into account.

Five fantastic March Madness betting sites

The popularity of this tournament means that wherever it’s available, there’s usually a ton of fantastic betting sites to choose from. With that in mind, I’ve picked five commonly available world-class options to get you started on your search.

FanDuel: Beyond just traditional betting

Fanduel Feature Image
Fanduel Pros & Cons
  • Educational betting resources
  • Brilliant fantasy betting
  • Moneylines also available
  • App verification takes time

First and foremost, it’s important to note that if what you’re looking for from March Madness college gambling is simply the straightforward betting markets – you want to back a team in the March Madness final 4 online gambling showdown, for instance – FanDuel can provide exactly that to impeccable standards.

But where they really go above and beyond – not just in their generous promotions, amazingly user-friendly site and fantastic customer service – is in their innovative contests and fantasy betting options. And if that’s new to you, they’ll even teach you how.

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FanDuel Fantasy
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BetMGM: An American classic

BetMGM sportsbook and casino
BetMGM Pros & Cons
  • NBA focus
  • Ideal for newcomers
  • Excellent promotions
  • Occasional customer service waits

An incredibly consistent sports betting site all round, BetMGM are especially excellent at providing a great experience for American users specifically. For instance, the NBA is a massive part of what they offer, with odds front and center, ultra competitive and frequently backed by some very generous promotions.

And you know what I said about making sure you know what’s available to you geographically when looking at March Madness betting sites? That’s no fuss here: they have you land on a regionalised version of the site before you even log in.

Sports Bonus
4.6/5
BetMGM
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Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
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bet365: March Madness bracket betting is a hidden gem

Bet365 Sports Feature Image
Bet365 Pros & Cons
  • Incredible consistency
  • Fantastic promotional terms
  • World-class on mobile
  • Basketball not a priority

The only real downside to choosing bet365 over all the other March Madness betting sites is that they’re very international, meaning that American sports aren’t always the focus they are elsewhere. But realistically, you’re talking about a few seconds of extra searching to be able to enjoy one of the most refined experiences in online betting.

I’m talking around-the-clock, world-class customer service, more payment methods than you could ever need, the most competitive odds, a delightful experience on desktop and app, unbeatable technical performance and odds and promotions that make the most of March Madness sweet 16 online betting and beyond.

Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Bet365
Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Welcome Bonus
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Go to Bet365
Get Bonus
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+

Caesars: An international classic with an American twist

caesars main
Caesars Pros & Cons
  • US sports center stage
  • Very broadly available
  • Excellent live betting
  • Odd technical hiccup

You can take pretty much everything I said about bet365 and apply it to Caesars. And while that may initially seem surprising, they’ve taken advantage of their ties to William Hill to come out with one of the all-round greatest online betting experiences available.

I’d say there’s the odd technical hiccup that I’ve noticed – more so than at some rock-steady alternatives – but that’s rarely an issue. What you’re getting generally is one of the premier March Madness betting sites as good as Europe’s best, but with a US focus.

Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Bet365
Sports Bonus
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Welcome Bonus
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Go to Bet365
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Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+

DraftKings: Built for this kind of contest

draftkings main
DraftKings Pros & Cons
  • Great selection of wagers
  • Excellent on mobile
  • Fantastic contests
  • Some betting limits

Put simply, DraftKings is one of the absolute best in the world for pools betting, traditional moneylines and, of course, fantasy betting. However you like your March Madness wagering, they’ve got you covered, with a quality of odds, experience, and coverage that never lets up whatever your preferences. They’re amazing on mobile too, making them arguably the most versatile of all March Madness betting sites.

Best of all though is how they handle big tournaments like this. They’re amazing for big contests – often free – which are really imaginative in their predictions. They don’t just offer the chance to win but help you appreciate these games in a whole new way.

DFS Bonus
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Conclusion: It’s easy to make the most of March Madness

If March Madness is coming up fast as you’re reading this, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Assuming you’re from part of the US where March Madness college gambling is possible, you can – using the advice, information and recommendations above – find a site which allows you to bet on each upcoming contest, and squeeze the most enjoyment out of every wager.

Be sure to check out these top sportsbooks!

Bet365
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
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Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Bank Transfer
VIP Preferred
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+

March Madness betting FAQ

🏀 What is March Madness?

March Madness is an NCAA first division basketball tournament. It determines the championship of men’s college basketball at the top level of student athletics. It’s contested, as of the time of writing, between 68 of the best teams in the country at the division 1 level, in an elimination tournament. This means there are 67 games until we’re left with one winner, who must have remained undefeated throughout the whole tournament. 

✅ Am I able to legally bet on March Madness in the US?

That depends on where in the US you live. Since the 2018 overturning of PASPA, each individual jurisdiction has been able to decide the legality of sports betting for themselves. Some also have additional restrictions on college betting. Check out the table on this page to discover if March Madness betting is available where you live, assuming you’re of age, which can vary between 18 and 21 depending on the state.

💰Are promotions available when betting on March Madness?

If college sports and March Madness are broadly available to bet on where you live, then the answer is very likely yes. There are two main categories of promotion to consider. One are those specifically available for a March Madness contest or the tournament in general. These will be advertised as such. But don’t overlook more general sports promotions, which may include these games in the markets they’re available to be used with.

Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
Bet365
4.6/5
BetMGM
4.6/5
FanDuel
4.5/5
Caesars
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
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Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
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4.5/5
Our Team
Emily Carter
Gambling Editor
Jackson T. Pierce
Gambling & DFS Editor
JP Zhang
JP Zhang
Founder
Brendan Heffernan
Editor
Eric Winkler
Editor
Ian Johnson
Editor

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