Best March Madness betting sites in 2025
One of the biggest sporting events, March Madness, pits 68 college basketball teams against each other in a winner-takes-all tournament. Big betting opportunities come with tournaments like these — especially with both a men’s and a women’s tournament — and I’m here to help you find and navigate the best March Madness betting sites.
Here, I cover March Madness betting odds, tips, dates to watch out for, and the best March Madness betting promos out there.
| Sportsbook logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-sportsbook button | Show more | T&C |
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Time2play's choice
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96/100 Sports and markets rating by Paul P. 91% Playscore based on |
Up to 200,000 Gold Coins + 9 Sweeps Coins
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods 
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2
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81/100 Sports and markets rating by Paul P. 89% Playscore based on |
Bet $5 get $150 in Bonus Bets
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Play now |
Good to know
8 payment methods 
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Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IN/IL/LA/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) 21+, (KY) 18. |
3
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59/100 Sports and markets rating by Jack B. 91% Playscore based on |
Up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
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Play now |
Good to know
14 payment methods 
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4
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91/100 Sports and markets rating by Paul P. 86% Playscore based on |
Second Chance Bet of up to $250
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods
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5
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100/100 Sports and markets rating by Paul P. 86% Playscore based on |
250 Virtual Credits
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods
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6
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68/100 Sports and markets rating by Ian Z. 85% Playscore based on |
Bet $20 get $100 in Free Bets
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Play now |
Good to know
14 payment methods
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7
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76/100 Sports and markets rating by Ian Z. 94% Playscore based on |
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
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Play now |
Good to know
9 payment methods
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8
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75/100 Sports and markets rating by Melanie H. 83% Playscore based on |
100% up to $100 FC
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Play now |
Good to know
5 payment methods
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9
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81/100 Sports and markets rating by Ramona D. 89% Playscore based on |
Second Chance Bet of up to $500
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Play now |
Good to know
10 payment methods
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10
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55/100 Sports and markets rating by Paul P. 81% Playscore based on |
Spend $10 get $50 of Sweeps Coins
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Play now |
Good to know
7 payment methods
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Editor's note: how we rank operators
These NCAA betting sites are hand-picked according to the quality of their product offered for March Madness betting.
If you see a bookie with a lower ‘Sports and markets’ rating ranking higher on the list, it means that while this sportsbook may lack in other sports and leagues, it excels in basketball betting and tailors the offer to March Madness.
Expect competitive pre-game and in-play odds, diverse NCAA markets, and March Madness promos (like NCAA bet boosts and free bets).
The best March Madness betting sites Our top picks
These three sportsbooks are recommended based on how well they are suited for betting on March Madness, while catering to your diverse range of must-haves and preferences.
In the weeks leading up to the big event, I analyze in-play betting options, NCAA odds, site usability, and March Madness betting promos offered by the best sportsbooks in the US.
🥇#1 Sportzino Best overall experience
If you want to head straight to the best overall March Madness betting experience, then look no further than Sportzino social sportsbook. It boasts great odds, live streams, and regular promos, covering exclusives for March Madness.
This year, you’re in for 50 game markets and 123 futures on NCAAM, plus six game markets and outright on NCAAW. Sportzino also offers boosted odds for bets on the men’s tournament winner.
With Sportzino’s daily log-in bonus, you’ll have Gold and Sweeps Coins for every day of the tournament without needing to spend a dime.
🥈#2 bet365 Best for March Madness prop bets
With 40 March Madness markets, bet365 is giving its players plenty of options. Couple that with in-depth NCAA stats, and you have the best bookie for real-money March Madness betting.
You’ll also find competitive odds on player milestones, like combos, assists, points, threes, and defense. The Early Cashout betting feature also comes in handy, pairing well with bet365’s same-game and boosted basketball parlays.
🥉#3 BetMGM Best for March Madness Pick ‘Em
BetMGM stands out thanks to its $250,000 Pick ‘Em competition. Players can compete for a share of the prize pool by predicting correct answers to college basketball questions every day games are played.
BetMGM is also offering a sign-up bonus for March Madness. Make your first wager of at least $10 on a game, and if you win, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets.
March Madness 2025 tournament format and schedule
The event, culminating in the March Madness National Championship, is a single-elimination or “knockout” tournament. Once a team loses — it’s out.
Each winner will play another in the next round, and so on until the tournament’s champion is crowned. Selection, seeding, and region allocation take place on the Sunday before the tournament, dubbed Selection Sunday.
The tournament is played over three weekends, but the action kicks off with the First Four.
- First Four — Four games played between the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams within their subset. The former compete for the #16 seed line, and the latter for a line in the #11–14 range, which varies each year.
- 1st weekend — First and second rounds are played.
- 2nd weekend — Regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight).
- 3rd weekend — The regional winners advance to the national semifinals and finals (Final Four).
- National Championship — The two remaining teams lock horns in the tournament’s rip-roaring finale. The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas will host the men’s championship game, while the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida will host the women’s final contest.
Here’s the round breakdown, number of games played, and key dates to watch out for:
| ⛹️ Round | 🏀 Number of games* | 📅 Men’s division | 📅 Women’s division |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Four | 4 | March 18–19 | March 19–20 |
| First round | 32 | March 20–21 | March 21–22 |
| Second round | 16 | March 22–23 | March 23–24 |
| Sweet 16 | 8 | March 27–28 | March 28–29 |
| Elite Eight | 4 | March 29–30 | March 30–31 |
| Final Four | 2 | April 5 | April 4 |
| National Championship | 1 | April 7 | April 6 |
*All scheduled games account for one rest day between each game.
March Madness brackets explained
“Brackets” refer to the tournament’s structure, organizing teams into a predetermined sequence of matchups.
When you fill brackets and bet on teams within, you’re betting on the winners of each game — from the opening rounds to the National Championship.
March Madness brackets are an integral part of the tournament, and can be a huge factor in who makes it to the Final Four. The brackets for the men’s and women’s teams are set on Selection Sunday.
Selection
There are 68 teams in both divisions, of which 31 spots are automatically given to teams that won their conference’s championship. The remaining 37 slots are at-large bids awarded by the Selection Committee. Major conferences are generally favored over mid-majors with similar performance.
These teams are then split into four regions of 16 teams each: East, Midwest, South, and West. Unlike conferences, the regions are not tied to the team’s geographical location; instead, the Selection Committee determines which team plays for which region.
Seeding
Seeding runs in tandem with selection. The S-curve (overall seed ranking #1–68, also referred to as the “true seed”) is set by the Selection Committee, based on factors like record, strength of schedule, as well as the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) in men’s Division I tournament and the Rating Percentage Index (RPI) in all other championships.
Each region’s teams are then assigned a seed from #1–16. The S-curve is used to keep each region balanced, ensuring that the top four seeds in each region are comparable in strength to the top four in every other region. The #1 seed, for example, can’t be paired with the strongest #2 seed (#5 overall).
Popular March Madness bets
Sportsbooks add an extra layer of strategy to March Madness betting on top-of-bracket moneylines by offering point spreads and same-game parlays, alongside various performance, team, and player props.
Here are common and popular March Madness markets to watch out for:
Spreads
Point spreads, or bets on the gap in points between two teams, are standard in basketball betting but gain an extra boost of popularity during March Madness. The NCAAB tournament lends itself to lucrative point spreads during the opening rounds, as higher-ranked teams go up against lower-ranked opponents.
Props
Big leagues tend to have wild bets, and March Madness is no different. The NCAAB March Madness league is perfect for performance and team propositions, such as race to X points, three-way margins, odd/even totals, whether the game will end with a buzzer beater, and other unique markets.
Futures
Futures are available ahead of the March Madness tournament to let you try and predict the outright winner in advance. Some sportsbooks offer futures for the tournament’s MVP, a.k.a. the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, and other player markets.
Derivatives
Derivatives let you predict outcomes of specific segments of March Madness games: both 20-minute halves and overtime. A great option for punters familiar with the teams’ performance and pace on game day.March Madness betting strategies and tips
Betting on March Madness doesn’t differ significantly from wagering on any other sporting event. While familiarizing yourself with March Madness bet types can go a long way, there are a few other tips and strategies to consider before you fill that bet slip.
Look for experience and balance
You tend to see the same teams and coaches advance to the final rounds, and for a good reason. This doesn’t mean an underdog story can’t happen, but teams with a history of good lineup management and sound adjustment from game to game are generally a safer bet. Evaluate offensive and defensive efficiency ranks — you’re looking for strong offense and stalwart defense.
Evaluate the strength of the schedule
Strength of schedule refers to the difficulty of a team’s schedule based on the opponent’s win percentage. This shows team performance, but make note of which conferences were competitive and which were two-dimensional. A low-loss record in mid-majors, for example, falls short of a big-league team’s higher loss count when consistently facing tougher matchups.
Factor in recent form and momentum
Pay attention to every school’s recent form and momentum. Teams with a good track record in their conference tournaments are solid considerations for early progression. Don’t overlook consistent performance; the win-loss ratio isn’t the be-all and end-all.
Take advantage of in-play betting
Consider hedging your pregame wagers with live betting. In-play March Madness betting lines generally move with every play and possession, offering opportunities to take advantage of lucrative odds and put your real-time spectator edge into play.
Account for the home-court edge
Teams may end up on the opposite coast or merely miles away from court for March Madness. Factoring in travel wear (and crowd noise) can be a deciding factor early on in the tournament, when you can make the most of point spreads. Analyze home/away splits, cover, wins/losses, field-goal percentage, and points allowed to see which teams are less likely to flop when on the road.
Go for teams that cover the spread
In the latter March Madness brackets, look for high-ranking teams with strong Against The Spread (ATS) records. The majority of March Madness champions over the last 15 years covered >55% of the games in their championship seasons, indicating reliable performance and exceeded expectations. A good ATS record isn’t a compass pointing to the winner, but is wise to reference.
Keep tabs on powerhouse schools
The Power Five conferences are part of the nation’s most elite conferences in the tier, and the stepping stone to some of the sport’s most successful athletes. Keep an eye on powerhouse-school teams stepping up their game for March Madness, as many top performers tend to peak in postseason.
Stay informed
Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with hard data and keep abreast of latest news. A close eye on news sources will lend insights into team strategy, latest standings, betting odds, expert analysis, player injuries, and even betting favorites for March Madness.
Expert tip: gamble responsibly
Just because March Madness is a big event doesn’t mean you should go as wild as the crowd. No matter the strategy or tip at your disposal — winning a bet is never guaranteed. Place limits on deposits, wagers, and time to keep reality in check and problem behavior at bay.
If you’re experiencing gambling-related harm, contact national helplines or a support organization in your state.
2025 March Madness bonuses and promotions
March Madness kicks sportsbooks into full-court-press overdrive, with one objective: to roll out the most competitive bonuses and promos in time for the tournament.
These sportsbooks offer March Madness promos and NCAA bet boosts ahead of the First Four, hand-picked by our experts and ranked according to offer quality and favorability of terms:
| 🏀 Sportsbook | 🎁 March Madness promo | 🏷️ Promo code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | NCAAB Early Payout on straight bets | N/A | |
| BetRivers | NCAA Parlay Boost | SPORTS | |
| BetMGM | Bet $10 on March Madness game, receive $150 in bonus bets if wager wins | N/A (free) | |
| Sportzino | Up to 200,000 Gold Coins + 9 Sweeps Coins | N/A | |
| Fliff | 100% up to $100 FC | TIME2PLAY | |
| Caesars | Bet $1, double your winnings your next 10 Bets | TIME2PLAY1000 |
The variety and creativity of the best March Madness bonuses reflect the sportsbooks’ understanding of their punters’ preferences, often offering more value than run-of-the-mill promotions. Look out for these bonus types to make the most of your March Madness bets:
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Bet and Get
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Bracket challenge
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Loyalty rewards
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Odds boost
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Parlay boost
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Risk-free bonus
Recommended betting apps for March Madness
Sportsbook betting apps streamline the betting experience with convenience, accessibility, and real-time updates, along with March Madness betting stats and trends.
You can place bets, monitor March Madness betting odds, view team statistics, and adjust your strategy without missing any of the tournament’s fast-paced action.
Integration of reliable and secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals makes the process not only efficient, but also safe. On top of that, you can make use of personalized notifications to:
- Stay updated on game outcomes
- Take advantage of in-play betting opportunities
- View expert analysis and betting predictions
- Find special promos tailored to the March Madness season
Prefer betting on the go? These three sportsbooks have great-for-March-Madness betting apps our experts vouch for, based on the quality of their mobile product, platform usability, and betting options for NCAA:
🥇#1 BetMGM Best overall app
BetMGM boasts a sleek and intuitive app available for both iOS and Android that is almost identical to its desktop version. It has a solid search function, easy-to-navigate menus, and lightning-quick loading speeds.
🥈#2 Caesars Best bet builder
Caesars’ app isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as BetMGM’s, but it makes up for it with great functionality. Menus are never cluttered, and the bet builder is intuitive and simple to customize.
🥉#3 BetRivers Best search function
BetRivers keeps things simple and concise with its app, which has a minimalist design that makes betting much easier. The search function is a particular highlight, with quick responses and a helpful filtering system.
State regulations that affect March Madness betting
Every state has its own rules and regulations for sports betting. Things like legal betting age, what teams can be bet on, and what types of bets can be placed are all restrictions that some states place on sportsbooks and punters.
| State | Restrictions | Legal betting age |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | No college prop bets | 21 |
| Arkansas | N/A | 21 |
| Colorado | No college prop bets | 21 |
| Connecticut | No wagering on in-state college teams (doesn’t apply to tournaments) | 21 |
| Delaware | No wagering on in-state college teams | 21 |
| Florida | No in-state college prop bets | 21 |
| Illinois | Bets only on in-state college teams through pregame, in-person wagers | 21 |
| Indiana | College prop bets are only allowed for pregame | 21 |
| Iowa | No prop bets on individual college athletes | 21 |
| Kansas | N/A | 21 |
| Kentucky | N/A | 18 |
| Louisiana | No college player prop bets | 21 |
| Maine | No wagering on in-state college teams, no college prop bets | 21 |
| Maryland | No college player prop bets | 21 |
| Massachusetts | No wagering on in-state college teams (doesn’t apply to tournaments), no college player prop bets | 21 |
| Michigan | N/A | 21 |
| Montana | N/A | 18 |
| Nebraska | No wagering on in-state college teams | 21 |
| Nevada | N/A | 21 |
| New Hampshire | No wagering on in-state college teams | 18 |
| New Jersey | No wagering on in-state college teams, or games taking place in state | 21 |
| New York | No wagering on in-state college teams, no college prop bets | 21 |
| North Carolina | N/A | 21 |
| Ohio | No college player prop bets | 21 |
| Oregon | Bets only on college teams through in-person wagers | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | No prop bets on individual college athletes | 21 |
| Rhode Island | No wagering on in-state college teams | 18 |
| Tennessee | No prop bets on individual college athletes or in-game props | 21 |
| Vermont | No wagering on in-state college teams (doesn’t apply to tournaments) | 18 |
| Virginia | No wagering or prop bets on in-state college teams | 21 |
| Washington D.C. | No wagering on in-state college teams or games | 18 |
| West Virginia | N/A | 21 |
| Wyoming | N/A | 18 |
