Gambling in the USA
Report: College Basketball’s March Madness brings Joy to Online Betting Companies
The American Gaming Association (AGA) recently reported that over $8.5 billion was wagered on college basketball’s “March Madness” by Americans in 2019 – via a mix of illegal and legal bets.
Of course, 2021 brings with it a new and very different landscape due to the ongoing global health pandemic and also due to the expansion of the legal sports-betting market in the USA.
This year’s NCAA March Madness has begun – but due to COVID-19, for the first time in the history of the competition, the entire tournament is being held in one single state (Indiana this year).
The National Championship Final itself is set to play out on April 5th 2021 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
March Madness – Betting facts, figures, and trends
The latest research and analysis has brought some interesting March Madness sports-betting estimates, facts, and figures to light.
Three times as many Americans planned to wager on this year’s March madness via online sportsbooks compared to 2019.
The pandemic is unquestionably a factor in the huge increase of anticipated bettors, with 17.8 million people expected to gamble on March Madness this year compared with 5.8 million people in 2019.
Even so, 8.3 million bettors are expected to place a bet at a physical sportsbook, which is up 79% from 2019.
That figure is only expected to grow in the future with 45% of American adults now living in a state with legalized sports betting and more states opening up.
“We’ve seen a 200% increase in site searches related to March-Madness betting in 2021 – with sports fans looking for the latest odds & futures for the tournament”
- Tom Nielsen, CTO at sports odds website Vegas-odds.com
The dramatic growth in the popularity of sports betting over the course of the last two years can be attributed to the expansion of the legal market, as 73.6 million more Americans in 14 new legal jurisdictions can legally place bets on March Madness this year compared to the 2019 tournament.
A March Madness tournament bracket might be great fun, but it’s worth looking at more traditional wagers at more realistic betting odds on the Money Line, Point Spread and Totals for those hoping to realistically win a few dollars.
There could be a big jump in traditional bets on this year’s tournament compared to 2019, with 30.6 million Americans expected to wager such bets, up from 17.8 million two years ago.
Other March-Madness facts & figures:
- The odds of picking all 63 March Madness games correctly is 1 in 9.2 quintillions! (That’s 9,200,000,000,000,000,000)
- The longest streak of correct NCAA tournament bracket picks to start the tournament currently stands at an astonishing 49, with an Ohio resident correctly predicting the entire 2019 NCAA tournament into the Sweet 16.
- 47.4 million American adults plan to bet on March Madness (that’s more than 20% of the population), about the same number that indicated they would bet on the tournament in 2019.
- 30.6 million Americans expect to place more traditional bets on this year’s tournament, up from 17.8 million in 2019
- 17.8 million say they will place a bet online, up 206% from 5.8 million in 2019
- 8.3 million expect to place a bet at a physical sportsbook, up 79% from 2019
- Betting with friends/colleagues remains popular – March Madness will likely generate $4.6 billion of wagers from 40 million people betting with friends and colleagues through a total of 149 million brackets, the AGA said.
- Regulated Vs International Sportsbooks: The remaining $3.9 billion of wagers will come mostly by way of international websites and bookmakers, though 4.1 million people will also place legal bets through licensed U.S based casinos and sportsbooks in las vegas and other states with legal sports betting operators.
- Gonzaga University’s “Bulldogs” team is the betting favorite to win the tournament
BetMGM
BetMGM Relaunches Borgata Online Platform
BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced the official relaunch of Borgata Online, representing the platform’s latest evolution and building on more than a decade of continuous innovation since its 2013 debut as one of New Jersey’s first regulated online casinos. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will host a Fourth of July weekend celebration to mark the launch of the reimagined platform.
“Borgata wrote the first chapter of legal online gambling in 2013 and now we are writing the next one. Borgata players are some of our most engaged and loyal customers, so we wanted to ensure their experience reflects the exceptional quality that has become synonymous with the Borgata name. Borgata provides a seamless connection to online and in-person experiences and exemplifies what a legal, regulated online casino can achieve. This latest product investment underscores how seriously we take our responsibility to players, regulators, and all who have made Borgata Online what it is today,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM.
Borgata’s online journey began October 9, 2013 when it received New Jersey’s first internet gambling permit from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Borgata was part of the state’s initial soft-launch group November 21, 2013, and legal online casino gambling in New Jersey went fully live to the public November 26, 2013. Borgata Online has since been a consistent contributor to New Jersey’s economy, with records dating to 2015, indicating the brand has contributed $250 million in taxes to the state.
Built on more than two decades of regional brand equity established in Atlantic City, the reimagined Borgata Online (available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania) delivers a refreshed interface, streamlined navigation, and ongoing feature parity with BetMGM’s flagship platform.
Key enhancements and events include:
Streamlined navigation
• The update delivers a full, visual refresh alongside a suite of new features designed to improve usability and engagement. Among the enhancements are structured top navigation tabs and a standardized bottom navigation bar, making it easier for players to browse and navigate the platform. The redesigned account hub centralizes information including available bonuses, playable balance, and withdrawable balance within a single tap.
• Casino players will benefit from improved access to their gaming activity. They can quickly launch favorite and recently played games directly from the home screen, streamlining the path back into gameplay.
New Rewards Hub
• Central to the update is a new unified Rewards Hub that consolidates promotions, Borgata Rewards Points, and MGM Rewards tier status into a single destination. It provides players with full visibility into the value they’ve earned and showcases the scope of the online and on-property ecosystem.
Expanded game selection built for Borgata players
• Borgata Online features 4000 titles, including 250 exclusive games and an industry-leading live dealer offering. Bespoke Borgata-branded games are planned throughout the remainder of the year, including Borgata Gem Strike and Borgata 777 Respin Deluxe, the sequel to Borgata 777 Respin, which has ranked among the platform’s top-performing titles for more than five years.
Fourth of July weekend
• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Borgata Online will present a fireworks spectacular on Friday, July 3. Produced by the world-renowned Fireworks by Grucci, the 20-minute display of colorful, choreographed pyrotechnics will illuminate the Atlantic City skyline starting at 9:30 p.m. Public viewing will be available starting at 8:30 p.m. from Borgata’s surface lot.
• Borgata Online will celebrate its launch with a multi-day on‑property activation. Festivities begin Friday, July 3 with an adult game zone experience featuring interactive entertainment and branded giveaways, followed by hotel activations Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5. Throughout the weekend, guests can visit the claw machine activation in the lobby, where new Borgata Online players who sign up and make a $25 deposit can pull for prizes, including the chance to win a $10,000 online casino bonus, luxury prizes and bonus spins. Casino bonus is non‑withdrawable and subject to a 1x playthrough requirement. It will be credited to the player’s account with three days to claim and will expire seven (7) days thereafter.
• Guests are invited to step into a nostalgic New Jersey diner scene for a complimentary retro-inspired photo opportunity on the casino floor – Saturday, July 4 from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 5 from 2-8 p.m.
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Arizona Department of Gaming
Arizona Department of Gaming Concludes Legislative Session with Approved Agency Continuation and Enhanced Spending Authority for Problem Gambling
Department is continued for six years to regulate an extensive portfolio: tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts
State budget includes a 20 percent increase in problem gambling treatment and prevention appropriations
The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced today that with Governor Hobbs’ signature on Senate Bill 1671, the Department has received continuation approval by the Arizona State Legislature, which periodically reviews state agencies for performance and authority. Additionally, through Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, the Department’s Division of Problem Gambling received expanded expenditure authority, enabling additional investments in problem gambling prevention, education, treatment, and recovery services across Arizona.
“Arizona first established the Department of Gaming in 1995 – and more than thirty years later, we remain excited about world-class regulation benefiting the entire state,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs and leaders in the state legislature, particularly continuation bill sponsor State Senator Shawnna Bolick, who thoroughly reviewed our agency with a deep commitment to public service, and I am pleased that the Department secured its continuation, which will allow us to strengthen our focus points in robust consumer protection and integrity.”
The Department, the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission, and the Arizona Racing Commission are continued by the legislature for six years, per the enactment of Senate Bill 1671, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, in the 2026 legislative session that adjourned on June 12, 2026. This continuation affirms the Department’s and both Commissions’ authority to carry out the roles and responsibilities delegated by the legislature.
The Department’s Division of Problem Gambling marked the legislative session with the passage of a new state budget that grants $4,000,000 in total authorized spending for the Division. The $4,000,000 authority represents a 20 percent increase from the FY26 budget. Additionally, the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority for the agency to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling. Finally, the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time– allowing the Division to expand programs to assist those in need.
“The new state budget will strengthen longstanding investments in problem gambling assistance made possible through partnerships with Arizona’s Tribal Nations and the Arizona Lottery,” said Elise Mikkelsen. “We continue to see strong demand from individuals and families seeking information, resources, and treatment for gambling-related harm. This increased funding will help us expand the continuum of care and ensure more Arizonans have access to effective, inclusive, and timely support.”
In addition to supporting the Division in state-wide access to problem gambling prevention and treatment, the Department is actively engaged in responsible gaming and safer play initiatives. Now in its first year of the campaign, the Department’s Take Back the Game initiative in partnership with the Arizona Media Association is raising awareness of gambling self-exclusion options available through the agency. The campaign, which runs in English and Spanish across Arizona media outlets, lets viewers know that if gambling is no longer fun, they can Take Back the Game and self-exclude from Arizona casinos, sportsbooks, and fantasy sports operators. Also in 2026, the Department’s Too Young to Bet campaign emphasizes the risks associated with youth gambling.
To learn more about the Arizona Department of Gaming, visit gaming.az.gov. To learn more about problem gambling prevention and treatment, visit problemgambling.az.gov.
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Gambling in the USA
Wind Creek Hospitality Celebrates “Winner Takes All” Champion After $1 Million Win, Chance at Up to $11.8 Million
Wind Creek Hospitality has announced the winner of its cross-property “Winner Takes All” casino promotion, which culminated in a championship event held at Wind Creek Chicago Southland. The event brought together finalists from across Wind Creek’s portfolio for a high-stakes grand prize championship competition and VIP Guest experience.
Finalists qualified through slot tournaments at their home properties and advanced through quarterfinal and semifinal rounds before earning their place in the final championship event in Chicago. The finale featured a series of timed slot tournaments held on June 13, progressively narrowing the field of competitors through elimination rounds until the final winner was determined.
At the conclusion of the tournament on June 13, Aaron Nelson from Wind Creek Atmore was crowned the winner of the “Winner Takes All” competition, claiming a $1,000,000 prize in the tournament’s final round, and earning the opportunity to compete for the promotion’s ultimate grand prize of up to $11,888,888. “Winner Takes All” finalists were also awarded more than $200,000 in cash and prizes in the finale tournament, including a $100,000 second-place prize followed up by a drawing with a $50,000 prize pool, including a $25,000 top prize and multiple $1000 prize winners.
In addition to the competition, finalists participated in curated Wind Creek Rewards experiences designed to highlight Chicago’s cultural and hospitality offerings. Experiences included a Chicago River architectural boat cruise and a guided Chinatown culinary tasting tour, alongside a welcome reception featuring food and beverage service. Travel and accommodations were provided by Wind Creek Hospitality as part of the finalist experience.
The “Winner Takes All” promotion marked one of Wind Creek Hospitality’s most expansive cross-property tournament experiences, combining competitive gaming with destination-based Guest programming and elevated hospitality.
The post Wind Creek Hospitality Celebrates “Winner Takes All” Champion After $1 Million Win, Chance at Up to $11.8 Million appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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