Thinking of joining in on all the March Madness betting action this year? Then you’ve come to the right place! Learn where you can find the best odds, promotions and betting features for the tournament with our list for the 7 Best March Madness Betting Sites for 2026. Picks include some of the world’s leading sportsbooks like betMGM, bet365, and Fanduel.
100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $20 on the house
No code needed
Caesars
First Bet Insurance: Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
No code needed
AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY
March Madness Betting Site of the Week
After evaluating all the competitors our experts picked BetMGM for the March Madness Betting Site of the Week. One of the main reasons for our choice is the generous Welcome Bonus which gives new customers the chance to get their First Bet refunded up to $1500, if it loses. So you could potentially place your first March Madness wager at the sportsbook with no risk.
BetMGM is also known for its March Madness Bracket Challenge which had a jackpot of $10 million last year if you could predict a perfect bracket. While no one took home the big prize there were a couple of winners in 2024 who won over $100,000! Learn more about the BetMGM bonus code on our review page.
21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
What is March Madness & Why Bet On It?
March Madness is an annual NCAA college basketball tournament which is typically played during the months of March and April. The competition features both a men’s and women’s tournament, featuring 68 teams which have been divided into four regions. The entire competition takes place over three action-packed weekends.
What makes March Madness so exciting is that it is single-elimination, which means one loss knocks a team out of the competition. With every game being life or death, the stakes are always high and the drama is almost inevitable. The fan bases of college basketball teams are also known for being fanatical, creating amazing atmospheres and a sporting culture that is different from any other sports events.
Expect 2025 to provide another tournament packed with buzzer-beaters, major upsets and maybe a Cinderella-story or two that could go down in history.
Did you know? Legal betting on last year’s March Madness tournaments brought in an estimated $2.7 billion.
Stat via American Gaming Association
Best March Madness Betting Sites 2026
After scouring the internet reviewing all the legal sports betting sites in the US we were able to narrow the field down to the top 7 March Madness betting sites for 2026. Criteria we used to make our picks include:
Odds & Betting Markets- We evaluated each betting site’s odds compared to other top bookmakers in the region and the variety of bet types and betting markets.
March Madness Promos- Special consideration was given to sportsbooks that offer March Madness deals and bonuses that are specific to the tournament.
Fast Payouts & Secure Transactions- We took a look at the number of payment options available at the sportsbooks and how secure their transactions are.
Live Betting & Streaming- A review of the live in-play betting sections with regard to March Madness and whether there is a live streaming feature which will cover the tournament.
bet365- Best March Madness Prop Bets
bet365 Review
Details
Welcome Bonus
$1,000 First Bet Refund OR Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Bonus Code
TBA
Terms & Conditions
21+ New Customers Only Offer only valid to customers from Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio or Virginia Min Deposit: $10 First Bet Refund applies to your first straight bet, parlay, Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ placed after claiming the offer. Maximum First bet Refund: $1000 Minimum Betting Odds For Bet $5, Get $150: -500 Qualifying bet must be made within 7 days of registration.
Debit/Credit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe, Prepaid Cards
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat, Email & Social Media
Available States
AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NC, NJ, OH, PA, VA
Customer Review
“…the bonus bets you can spend it exactly how you want. If they gave you 150 bonus you can do your bet at as low as .20 cents still, or if you wanted to throw you a $50 bet, u could. So that’s awesome considering DraftKings forces the 150 free bets in $25 bets. Secondly , I find that the parlays that they have premade to bet on – have great odds and great picks. And the cashing out option yes that’s awesome too.”
21+ New Customers Only Min Deposit/Bet: $10 A refund will be provided in the form of a Free Bet Token only if a customer’s first bet loses. Free Bet Token minimum odds: -10,000 Free Bet Token will expire 7 days after being credited into a customer’s account.
March Madness Bet Types
Moneylines, Point Spreads, Totals, Outrights, Handicaps, Props
Special Features
Refer A Friend Bonus, Easy Parlay
Mobile App
Available on iOS and Android
Live Betting
Available
Live Streaming
Available
Payment Options
Debit/Credit Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe, Prepaid Cards
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat & Email
Available States
AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
Customer Review
“BetMGM is a good app, it’s easy to navigate, withdrawals are fast,I’ve had to contact customer support once or maybe twice, they were very helpful and solved my issues quickly.”
21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
FanDuel- Top Live Streams
FanDuel Review
Details
Welcome Bonus
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win
Bonus Code
N/A
Terms & Conditions
21+ New Customers Only Offer only valid to customers from AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Min Deposit/First Bet: $5 First bet must win to be eligible for the $150 in bonus bets. Cash-at-counter deposit and PayNearMe deposits not eligible for promo.
New customers only. Must be 21+ in most jurisdictions, but 18+ in DC, KY, and WY. Offer is valid only in eligible regulated states/jurisdictions and not available in AR; void where prohibited. First online real-money wager only; cashed-out or bonus-funded bets are excluded.
DraftKings- Best Mobile App
DraftKings Review
Details
Welcome Bonus
No Sweat Bet Up To $100
Bonus Code
N/A
Terms & Conditions
21+ New Customers Only Min Deposit/First Bet: $5 If your first bet loses you will be awarded the amount lost in Bonus Bets worth up to $100. Bonus Best are valid for seven (7) days from being credited.
March Madness Bet Types
Moneylines, Point Spreads, Over/Under, Futures, Props
Special Features
Dynasty VIP, Betting Pools
Mobile App
Available on iOS and Android
Live Betting
Available
Live Streaming
Available
Payment Options
Debit/Credit Cards, Apple Pay, Bank Wire Transfer, Cash at Cage, PayNearMe, DraftKings Gift Card, Online Banking, PayPalPlay+ Prepaid Card, Venmo
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat & Email
Available States
AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY
21+ New Customers Only Offer only valid to customers from AZ, CO, IN, IA, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OH, TN, or VA Min Deposit/First Bet: $10 Bonus paid in two (2) $25 Free Bet Tokens Bonus Bet Tokens will expire 7 days after being credited into a player’s account.
March Madness Bet Types
Lines, Spreads, Totals, Outrights
Special Features
Parlay Zone
Mobile App
Available on iOS and Android
Live Betting
Available
Live Streaming
N/A
Payment Options
Debit/Credit Cards, Instant eCheck Deposits, Apple Pay, PayPal
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat & Email
Available States
AZ, CO, IN, IA, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OH, TN, VA
Customer Review
“Legit site, great promotions and one of the fastest withdrawal and deposit processes in the US.”
21+ New Customers Only Min Deposit/First Bet: $20 The Bonus Bets will be awarded as two (2) $50 Bonus Bets Bonus Free Bets will expire 7 days after being credited.
21+ New Customers Only Min First Bet: $1 Users will get ten (10) 100% Profit Boost Tokens Max Boost Bonus Per Bet: $25 Minimum odds for each Token: -10,000 Profit Boosts must be used up within 14 calendar days from the day they are awarded.
March Madness Bet Types
Lines, Spreads, Totals, Outrights, Props
Special Features
Caesars Squares
Mobile App
Available on iOS and Android
Live Betting
Available
Live Streaming
Available
Payment Options
Debit/Credit Cards, Online Banking, PayNearMe, ACH e-check, Caesars Prepaid Card, Venmo, Apple Pay, Wire Transfer
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat & Email
Available States
AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
Customer Review
“I do like this new app and the promos that come with it. I do not like how long it takes for bets to leave the bets especially when you know you’ve lost a parlay they stay in there for multiple days. This makes me spend more time scrolling through them, which is time and time is money when betting…”
If you have no idea how to get started betting on March Madness then don’t worry, we got you covered. Read through the steps below and follow the instructions and you’ll be good-to-go in no time.
Choose a Licensed Sports Betting Site- First you have to pick the sports betting site you would like to wager at. If you’re not sure which to pick, go through the reviews above to help find the site that best suits you.
Register & Claim Welcome Bonus- After you make your choice you can visit the operator and sign up for a betting account. This is generally a quick process that takes only a few minutes of your time. Be sure to keep your personal details and any bonus codes handy to fill out the registration form. You may need to opt-in to the Welcome Bonus when registering so keep an eye out for prompts.
Make a Deposit- Login and visit the Cashier in your new account and pick a deposit method. Typical payment options include credit/debit cards, eWallets, bank transfers and prepaid cards. Minimum and maximum deposit limits may apply.
Select Your Bet Type- With a funded account you can now find the bet type you would like to wager on in the ‘Basketball’ or ‘NCAA’ section. Popular bet types for March Madness include Moneylines, Point Spreads, Totals, Over/Unders, Outrights and Props.
Place Your Bet & Track Result- When you find a bet you would like to wager on you can click on the odds to open up a bet slip. You may then type in the amount you would like to wager and click on the ‘PLACE BET’ button to confirm. Placed bets can be viewed in the ‘MY BETS’ section of your account. When a bet completes the winnings will automatically be credited into your betting account.
March Madness NCAA Schedule
March Madness will commence on the 16th of March with Selection Sunday which will reveal the 68-team brackets for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The action will tip-off on March 18th with the First Four, featuring four single-elimination games played to trim the number of teams in the field from 68 to 64 for the first round.
Main Tournament Schedule:
First round (round of 64): March 20 & 21st
Second round (round of 32): March 22 & 23
Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): March 27 & 28
Elite Eight (regional finals): March 29 & 30
Final Four (national semifinals and national championship): April 5 & 7
Popular March Madness Betting Markets & Odds
March Madness provides the opportunity to wager on a wide selection of basketball betting markets. Some of the most common bet types you will encounter when betting on NCAA games are:
Moneylines- The most common type of bet for March Madness, moneylines ask you to simply pick the winner of the game. In the first couple rounds of the tournament the odds can be huge on underdog teams due to the large gap in ranking. If you can pick some upsets there’s the possibility of big winnings.
Point Spreads- With point spreads you are betting on a team’s margin of victory rather than the final result. A favorite is designated by a minus symbol, while a plus symbol is given to the underdog.
Example: Texas -7.5 / Colorado +7.5 points. In this case, Texas would need to win by 8 points for a wager on them to payout. If you bet on Colorado, they would need to lose by no more than 8.
Totals- Totals, also known as Over/Unders, are bets on the combined number points scored between both teams. These types of bets are ideal for bettors who can’t pick a winner but expect the game to be either high or low scoring.
Outrights- An outright wager is one where you pick the overall winner of the entire tournament. These bets are generally extremely high in odds as a team would need to win six consecutives games to be crowned winners.
Prop Bets- Props are wagers which are made regarding a specific occurrence or non-occurrence in a game. They don’t necessarily affect the overall outcome of the game. Example: Will ‘Player X’ score 30 points or ‘Which team will commit the first foul?’
March Madness Bonuses & Promotions- Finding The Best Deals
One of the benefits of betting on March Madness online are bonus offers and promotions which have the potential to give you better bang for your buck than retail sportsbooks. Bonuses can come in a number of forms but the most popular types for college basketball are:
Welcome Bonuses- These introductory offers are provided to new customers joining an online sportsbook. They are generally linked to your first deposit or bet on the site, giving bonus cash, free bets or cashback on losses. A couple examples of Welcome Bonuses are FanDuel’s ‘Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets’ and DraftKings’ ‘No Sweat $100 Refund.’
NCAA Odds Boosts- Online sportsbooks sometimes offer boosted odds on specific sports or leagues like the NCAA. This generally happens around a big event or tournament such as March Madness 2025. Odds boosts allow you to get better odds on specific matchups for more potential earnings if your bet comes out a winner.
Parlay Insurance- With Parlay Insurance when you place a traditional parlay or multi-bet, if one leg loses, your bet will get refunded or another predetermined amount will be awarded. There will usually be a minimum odds and legs requirement that must be fulfilled in a Parlay Insurance to activate the promo. Refunds can be given out as bonus cash or free bets with terms and conditions attached.
Risk-Free First Bets- Are a common type of Welcome Bonus which allow you to place your first wager at an online sportsbook without any risk. Basically, if your first wager on the site loses, the amount will be refunded in the form of a bonus bet or bonus cash. This type of bonus is a great risk-free way to dip your toes into the betting world.
Top March Madness Sportsbooks Comparison Table
Sportsbook
Welcome Bonus
Special Features
Payment Options
bet365
$1,000 First Bet Refund OR Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Cash Out ButtonEdit BetSame Game Parlays
Debit/Credit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe, Prepaid Cards
BetMGM
First Bet Refund Up To $1500 – Code: TPOVIP
Easy ParlayRefer A Friend Bonus
Debit/Credit Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe, Prepaid Cards
FanDuel
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win
FanDuel TVDaily Fantasy SportsSame Game Parlays
Debit/Credit Cards, Online Banking, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, FanDuel Prepaid Play+, Cash at Counter, PayNearMe and Wire Transfers
DraftKings
No Sweat First Bet Up To $100
Dynasty VIP ProgramDaily Fantasy SportsBetting Pools
Debit/Credit Cards, Apple Pay, Bank Wire Transfer, Cash at Cage, PayNearMe, DraftKings Gift Card, Online Banking, PayPalPlay+ Prepaid Card, Venmo
Bally Bet
Bet $10 and Get $50 in Bonus Bets
Parlay ZoneSame Game ParlaysLoyalty Program
Debit/Credit Cards, Instant eCheck Deposits, Apple Pay, PayPal
Borgata Sport
Bet $20 to Get $100 in Free Bets
Official Sports PartnersSame Game ParlaysCashout Button
Debit/Credit Cards, Online Banking, PayNearMe, ACH e-check, Caesars Prepaid Card, Venmo, Apple Pay, Wire Transfer
March Madness NCAA Betting Strategies: Tips & Tricks
While there is no guaranteed method of making winning NCAA bets, there are some betting strategies that can increase your chance. Try out our tips and tricks to boost your earnings this year.
Shopping Lines- With so many different online sports betting sites to choose from you should always be trying to find the best odds for your bet. Before placing a wager shop around at other top March Madness betting sites and check if you can find better odds for your pick. If you do find better odds don’t be hesitant to create a new account to place the bet. Having multiple accounts at different online bookmakers can guarantee you’re always getting the highest odds. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to claim multiple Welcome Bonuses!
Always Do Your Research- Information is key when placing NCAA bets. Always do your research and look into each team’s form, injuries and head-to-head matchups against their opposition before placing your bet. Some other important aspects to keep track of are player statistics against specific teams and any recent news regarding the teams.
Historical Trends- Identifying trends based on past results is another great way to make more informed wagers. While history doesn’t always repeat itself, it does provide valuable insights into how teams fare in different stages of the tournament and when you might be able to find an outlier.
Betting on Underdogs in Early Rounds- If your plan is to win big, we recommend betting on the earlier rounds of the tournament which provide large disparities between teams which lead to higher odds. Historically there has almost always been an underdog story each tournament which with some good research you may be able to predict.
Legal Considerations For Betting on March Madness
It’s important to consider the legal implications of betting on March Madness at online sportsbooks before you place a bet. Sports betting is currently legal in 30 states + DC in America. If you’re unsure if your state falls into the legal category see the info below.
👍 Legal Online Betting
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wisconsin.
⌛ Only Retail
Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Offshore sportsbooks are online betting sites which operate from locations outside the jurisdiction of the US. As such, they are not licensed in the United States and are not regulated by U.S. state lawmakers. This means that they are technically not legal for U.S. residents to use.
Despite not being legal, off-shore sportsbooks will accept American customers but it comes with a risk. If you end up winning and attempt to withdraw, you would have no recourse if an off-shore site doesn’t honor the payout. Also there is no guarantee that the operator is adhering to fair play and betting standards, as there is no relevant governing body regulating the site.
We recommend sticking to legal betting sites which have acquired valid licenses in the US to provide sports betting to make sure you are protected.
Responsible Gambling
Always make sure that your gambling and sports betting doesn’t exceed your limits. If you have trouble with gambling responsibly there are a number of resources and tools which are available to help. Most sportsbooks allow you to self-exclude or set limits on your deposits. If you find yourself addicted to gambling you may call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ for assistance.
Mobile Betting Apps For March Madness: The Best On-The-Go Experience
Betting with your mobile has never been more convenient with almost every major sports betting site offering a mobile app version of their platform for free download. It’s not just the convenience factor either, wagering via mobile app allows you to take advantage of live in-play betting odds from anywhere you may be.
Live betting gives a completely new collection of betting markets which are only available to bet on as the game progresses. A bunch of the top sites also provide live streaming to watch the games, which is perfect to follow along with as you bet.
Best Mobile Apps For NCAA Betting
After trying out all the apps, our picks for the sportsbooks with the best mobile apps for NCAA betting are BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and bet365.
Each of these operators provide an app with loads of betting March Madness betting options, which include live betting. The apps also have a number of great betting features like a Cash Out button, live streaming, quick deposits and 24/7 customer support. Additionally, you can set up push notifications that will alert you every time one of your bets completes or favourite teams are available for betting.
Get Started With March Madness Betting
Now that you know where to find the best March Madness betting sites this year the only thing left to do is make your pick. When you do, make sure that you don’t forget to claim the Welcome Bonus to get a head start on the winning. The bonus may require a promo code to be entered during registration, so make sure you check out March Madness betting site reviews for any codes before signing up!
21+. AZ/CO/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA/MD/MA/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/ VA/WV/WY only. Offer not available in DC/MS/NV/NY/PR. New customers only. Qualifying deposit (min $10) and first real money wager required. If qualifying bet settles as a loss, user is refunded 100% in non-withdrawable bonus bets up to $1,500. Full T&Cs can be found on betmgm.com.
March Madness Betting Sites FAQ
For quick answers to frequently asked questions about March Madness betting sites, see the FAQ section below.
What are the best March Madness betting sites for 2026?
Based on the ratings of our experts, the best March Madness betting sites for 2026 are BetMGM, bet365, Fanduel, Draftkings, Bally Bet, Borgata Sport and Caesars Sportsbook.
Is it legal to bet on the NCAA?
Yes, placing wagers on NCAA is allowed as long as you are wagering from within a state which offers legal sports betting. There are however exceptions such as players, coaches, team staff and game officials who are prohibited from betting on college sporting events.
Which March Madness teams are best to bet on?
While Auburn goes into March Madness this year as the favourites, some of the best teams to wager on may come from the bottom ranked teams. Generally lower ranked teams will provide high odds and if they can cause a big upset, the payout could be massive. Some teams to look out for this tournament are Missouri, Maryland and Texas A&M.
Can I bet on March Madness using cryptocurrency?
Betting on sports with crypto is only legally available in select states such as Colorado, Virginia, and Wyoming. More states are expected to follow suit and crypto gambling in the coming months.
Can I bet on March Madness 2026 on my mobile?
Yes, almost all of the best March Madness betting sites have mobile apps which can be downloaded for free. Mobile users will also have the option of accessing sportsbooks on their mobile browser.
Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.
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