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
Zitro has announced the U.S. rollout of FANTASY, its latest slot cabinet, following an outstanding early reception across multiple states. Since its debut, FANTASY has resonated with players and operators alike, quickly positioning itself as one of the standout new cabinets on casino floors nationwide.
The cabinet launched its U.S. journey in Minnesota before expanding into Michigan, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and North Carolina, and the story has been consistent across all six states. Strong player engagement, positive operator feedback, and consistent floor performance have followed FANTASY everywhere it has gone.
FANTASY’s strong performance reflects the depth of the experience it delivers. Zitro developed world-class content specifically for this cabinet, including stunning animations, exceptional graphics, and a rich multimedia experience that connects with today’s players. An individual game color lighting system gives each title a distinct identity on the casino floor, and every title was developed exclusively for this form factor. The result is a complete entertainment experience that goes well beyond the cabinet itself.
“We always knew FANTASY was something special, but the response we’ve seen across different casino properties has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. Players are genuinely connecting with this cabinet, operators are seeing the results on their floors, and we believe this is just the beginning of a defining journey for FANTASY in the US,” said Derik Mooberry, CEO of Zitro USA.
The post Zitro Announces the U.S. Rollout of FANTASY Cabinet appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
RLX Gaming, the innovative iGaming aggregator and content supplier, has officially launched its full portfolio with Fanatics Casino in the United States.
Players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can now access RLX Gaming’s extensive library of in-house and third-party titles, following a soft launch in Pennsylvania. Leading slot hits like Temple Tumble, Bonsai Dragon Blitz, and The Great Pigsby are now live, alongside a broad selection of releases from some of the most creative studios in the industry.
Fanatics Casino, available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia on iOS and Android, offers a wide variety of classic and modern casino experiences, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots, and video poker. Each game is designed to deliver authentic casino action, ensuring endless entertainment for players.
This partnership marks a significant step in RLX Gaming’s mission to deliver dynamic, globally-ready content that drives innovation and engagement in the online casino space.
Matthew Hockenjos, Commercial Account Manager for North America at RLX Gaming, said:
“Our collaboration with Fanatics Casino represents a major milestone for RLX Gaming as we strategically broaden our footprint across North America. Fanatics Casino’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re thrilled to bring our engaging slot experiences to players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
Kieron Shaw from Fanatics Casino added:
“We are delighted to integrate RLX Gaming’s captivating portfolio into our platform. This partnership reinforces our dedication to offering a premier online casino experience, giving players access to high-quality titles with proven appeal across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
The post RLX Gaming expands US reach through Fanatics Casino launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino
WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and White Hat Studios have announced the launch of the official WWE-branded slot, WrestleMania®: Road to Gold, exclusively on Fanatics Casino starting today.
Available in the United States, this real-money online casino game features 20 WWE superstars, including fan favorites Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley, just ahead of WrestleMania® 42, returning to Las Vegas on April 18–19, 2026.
The game’s Unlock Trail mechanic takes players through WWE Premium Live Events, with progressive bonus features inspired by SummerSlam®, Survivor Series®, Royal Rumble®, Elimination Chamber®, and Money in the Bank®. Each milestone builds excitement and win potential, culminating in the ultimate WrestleMania® showdown. The ringside experience is enhanced by the unmistakable voice of Michael Cole, adding authenticity and immersion to every spin.
Armen Tatarevic, VP of Gaming at White Hat Studios, said:
“WWE is an iconic brand steeped in entertainment history, and the aim was to collaborate closely to channel that legacy into WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. From superstar athletes to headline events, there are numerous touchpoints that fans will enjoy, and this is a major IP launch for White Hat Studios as we continue to deliver a main event experience to casino players in the United States.”
Conor Grant, President, Casino at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, added:
“WWE is a worldwide entertainment phenomenon, and the energy of the brand has been captured perfectly in WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. This new WWE-branded experience on Fanatics Casino reflects our strategy to leverage the power of Fanatics IP assets to offer customers a premium, differentiated experience.”
Fanatics Casino, the fastest-growing online casino in the U.S., is available on iOS, Android, and web in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. WrestleMania®: Road to Gold joins Fanatics’ lineup of licensed WWE titles, including WWE® Blackjack, Raw® Multiplier
The post WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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