Press Releases
47 Million Americans to Wager on March Madness as Legal Sports Betting Booms

More than 47 million Americans will place bets on the 2021 March Madness tournament, with online and physical sportsbook betting expected to grow dramatically compared to 2019, compensating for lower expected participation in bracket contests, according to new data from the American Gaming Association (AGA).
“The sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since 2019 – and as a result, tournament betting has transformed,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “As consumers formerly limited to bracket contests now enjoy access to legal sportsbook options, they also plan to place traditional sports bets as March Madness returns.”
While the overall number of Americans betting is flat from 2019, there have been significant shifts in how people plan to bet on the tournament this year. Bracket betting is expected to decline but more traditional sports bets placed online or at a brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are expected to more than double.
Since the 2019 tournament, 65.4 million more Americans have gained the opportunity to bet safely in legal markets in 13 new jurisdictions.
Key findings from the survey, conducted by Morning Consult, include:
- 47.4 million American adults will wager on March Madness, about the same number that indicated they would bet on the tournament in 2019.
- 36.7 million Americans will fill out a bracket, down 8% from 2019.
- 30.6 million Americans will place more traditional bets on this year’s tournament, up from 17.8 million in 2019.
- 17.8 million will place a bet online, up 206% from 5.8 million in 2019.
- 8.3 million will place a bet at a physical sportsbook, up 79% from 2019.
- Interest in the tournament is up slightly from 2019, with 26% of Americans saying they are extremely or very interested in the tournament, compared to 23% two years ago.
- 42% of fans said they followed college basketball more closely this season, with 70% of those following more closely attributing their increased attention either somewhat or very significantly to the increased availability of legal sports betting.
- Gonzaga University is the betting public’s favorite to win the tournament (17%), followed by Florida State University (11%) and Baylor University (8%).
“With more legal, regulated sports betting options than ever before, millions of customers now have safer ways to enjoy all the fun and suspense only March Madness provides,” said Miller.
Background
- 25 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting, with 21 legal markets operational.
- 17 states currently have active or pre-filed legislation to legalize sports betting.
Latest News
RG24seven collaborates with industry experts to expand landmark Sports Betting training for gaming employees

RG24seven Virtual Training, the industry-leading, free video-based virtual training system for casino and gaming employees and a BMM Innovation Group (BIG) company, is pleased to expand training offerings to include new sports betting courses. The new courses highlight the fundamentals of sports betting, the legal landscape, ethics and marketing, and responsible gaming practices.
Wendy Anderson, CEO of RG24seven Virtual Training, said, “We all play a part in upholding the reputation and credibility of our industry. We brought together top experts in the industry to create these courses and ensure that gaming employees are fully informed about all aspects of working in and around sports betting.”
Victoria Reed, CEO of Better Change and Strategic Advisor for RG24seven, added, “We also want to provide gaming employees with as much information as possible about the variables that influence the sports betting industry, such as the laws, its reputation, and why it’s important that we remain as ethical as possible. We hope learners will gain a strong working knowledge of sports betting, as well as understand the significance of the regulations, integrity in sports, and responsible gaming.”
Anderson concluded, “Sports betting is meant to be fun, and it’s even more so when you fully understand not only the terminology but also how you can protect both yourself and your customers from gambling harm. We welcome gaming company executives, managers, and other representatives to request organization-wide access to our new training.”
Latest News
Wildly popular ‘Fortune Tiger’ game among PG Soft Brazil rollout

Global iGaming powerhouse SkillOnNet has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with award-winning game developer PG Soft bringing the studio’s acclaimed content to the regulated Brazilian market.
The move comes just months after SkillOnNet went live in Brazil with its licensed brands PlayUZU.br and BacanaPlay.br, as one of the first operators to gain approval from the brand-new licensing regime.
The integration of PG Soft’s engaging portfolio, including the wildly popular Fortune Tiger, will bolster SkillOnNet’s offering in one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world.
Fortune Tiger, known locally as Jogo do Tigrinho, has become a cultural phenomenon in Brazil. Its rapid rise has been fueled by viral marketing on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where influencers showcase big wins and gameplay tips.
PG Soft’s content is already live in over 100 countries and supports 23 languages and 100 currencies. Known for rich visuals and innovative mechanics, the studio has earned global recognition for its ability to connect with players across diverse markets.
SkillOnNet operates more than 40 brands in regulated markets globally and boasts a platform of over 7,000 titles from the industry’s top providers. PG Soft’s integration further diversifies SkillOnNet’s content portfolio, solidifying its position as a key player in Brazil’s rapidly growing iGaming landscape.
Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “Brazil is a market full of potential, and we’re investing heavily to ensure we become a top-tier operator here. PG Soft’s content, especially Fortune Tiger, has already made a big impact in the region. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to localising our offering and bringing world-class entertainment to the market.”
PG Soft commented: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with SkillOnNet into Brazil, a market where our games – especially Fortune Tiger – have really resonated with players. SkillOnNet is a leading name in regulated markets, and their ambitious plans for Brazil match our own. We’re confident that this collaboration will set a new benchmark for quality and engagement in the region.”
Conferences
EGT Digital at SBC Summit Americas 2025: High-tech gaming solutions for brilliant performance

EGT Digital is ready for its first memorable participation in SBC Summit Americas. The company has prepared a fascinating range of innovative online gaming products, which will be available at booth C290.
EGT Digital will demonstrate its impressive portfolio of in-house developed slot games, including over 140 popular titles, as well as the jackpot bestsellers Bell Link, High Cash, Clover Chance, and Single Progressive Jackpot.
Visitors will also be able to learn more about the 4-level multi-denomination Gods & Kings Link, the latest member of the company’s jackpot family. Its first 2 games – Glorious Alexander and Ape of Luck, will provide players with numerous opportunities for winning and entertainment.
The newest addition to Clover Chance – the 5×6 Fruity Shots game, will also attract players’ attention. With a vibrant cocktail theme, it will offer functionalities such as the Toppling Reels feature, adding extra excitement by filling empty positions with new symbols, thus creating even more chances to win.
The company’s iGaming platform X-Nave will also be on display to provide operators with everything they need to build and grow their online business. It will demonstrate its 4 main modules: Sport Product, Gaming Aggregator, CRM Engine, and Payment Gateway. Standing out with great versatility, each of them is able to function as part of the turnkey solution or independently, as they allow seamless integration with third-party developments.
The Sport Product will introduce its rich sports and esports content across a number of markets around the world. EGT Digital’s Gaming Aggregator will reveal a vast range of over 13,000 titles from more than 130 popular providers, as well as a lot of functionalities for content personalization. X-Nave’s CRM Engine with its ever-evolving player management tools and bonus features, as well as the Payment Gateway, covering a wide variety of payment methods, will further expand operators’ capabilities to create customized and more engaging offerings for their customers.
“SBC Summit Americas is a well-established event, bringing together key players from across the LATAM region,” said Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital. “I am confident that our participation will provide us with numerous options to start new high-potential collaborations and strengthen our existing partnerships. We are also happy to be among the finalists in the SBC Awards Americas 2025 this year.”
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