Gambling in the USA

Report: College Basketball’s March Madness brings Joy to Online Betting Companies

Published

5 years ago

March 24, 2021

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

Related Topics:American Gaming Association (AGA)March Madness 2021

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Arizona Benefits Fund

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-q2-fy-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially announced a total of $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This performance marks an approximate 5.6 percent increase compared to the same period in FY 2025, signaling continued strength in the state’s tribal gaming sector.

These contributions are vital to the state’s infrastructure, supporting everything from classroom improvements to emergency medical services.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

Where the Money Goes: The Arizona Benefits Fund

Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, 88 percent of all tribal gaming contributions are directed into the Arizona Benefits Fund. This revenue is strictly allocated to high-priority state initiatives.

The Q2 FY 2026 distribution breakdown is as follows:

Fund Category	Contribution Amount
Instructional Improvement Fund (Education)	$22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund	$11,186,905
ADG Operating Costs	$4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund	$3,196,258
State Tourism Fund	$3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education & Treatment	$897,825
Total to Arizona Benefits Fund	$44,891,270

Local Community Impact

Beyond the state-level funds, the remaining 12 percent of tribal contributions are distributed directly by the tribes to specific cities, towns, and counties. these funds are often used for local community services and public safety programs.

Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions from Arizona’s tribes have surpassed $2.5 billion, demonstrating the long-term economic impact of the partnership between the state and its 22 federally recognized tribes.

Regulatory Oversight and Growth

Currently, the ADG regulates 26 Class III casinos across the state in close partnership with tribal authorities. This regulatory framework ensures the integrity of the games while maximizing the benefits delivered to the public.

For those interested in exploring historical data, the ADG maintains a comprehensive archive of cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year.

To learn more about the current landscape of gaming in the state, visit the official Tribal Gaming webpage.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Arizona

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 8, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-the-second-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This represents an approximate 5.6 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.

Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:

Instructional Improvement Fund/Education………………………………………………..$22,373,810

Trauma and Emergency Services Fund………………………………………………………..$11,186,905

Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs………………………………………….$4,040,214

Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund……………………………………………………………$3,196,258

Tourism Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..$3,196,258

Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention……………………………..$897,825

Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund……………………..$44,891,270

Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.

Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Activision Blizzard

BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships

Published

4 days ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

BLAST, a global leader in competitive entertainment, has officially announced the appointment of Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships. Rossi joins the team at a pivotal moment, following a record-breaking 2025 that saw the company expand its footprint into New York City, Malta, and Mumbai.

With over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships across sports, media, and gaming, Rossi is set to lead BLAST’s next phase of commercial evolution.

A Proven Leader in Global Commercial Strategy

Rossi’s career is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between iconic intellectual properties and Fortune 100 brands. His previous roles include senior leadership positions at:

Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.
National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.
Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.
PlayVS: Focusing on the intersection of youth esports and brand engagement.

Based in the newly established New York office, Rossi will oversee BLAST’s global Sponsorship Sales and Partner Management & Activation.

Building on a Record-Breaking 2025

The appointment comes as BLAST continues to scale at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the company delivered:

15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.
Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.
Expanded Portfolio: Continued investment in top-tier titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Brawl Stars.

“BLAST has built a truly premium proposition at the intersection of entertainment, gaming, sport and culture,” said Steve Rossi. “I’m excited to work with the team to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that deliver real value for brands, publishers and fans alike.”

A Strategic Vision for 2026

Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at BLAST, emphasized that Rossi’s leadership will be instrumental as the company evolves its partnership offerings. “Steve brings deep experience across esports, sport, media and entertainment. His ability to scale global commercial partnerships makes him the perfect fit for BLAST at this incredibly exciting time.”

As BLAST enters 2026, the focus remains on delivering fan-first experiences and commercially impactful collaborations that maintain BLAST’s position as a pioneer in the competitive gaming space.