March Madness tips off, driving a surge in sports betting across Iowa and nationwide

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As March Madness gets underway, sports betting is seeing a major spike both nationwide and here in Iowa.

According to a report from the American Gaming Association, Americans are estimated to legally wager $3.3 billion on this years NCAA women’s and men’s basketball tournaments, which is a 54% increase over the past three years.

Officials say the NCAA tournament is one of the busiest times of year for wagering, second only to football season.

“Football is king, but that is followed quickly thereafter by March Madness,” Tina Eick, administrator for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said. “And so this is a busy time of year for sports wagering.”

Since sports betting was legalized in Iowa in 2019, participation has steadily increased year after year. That trend is continuing in 2026.

So far this fiscal year, Iowans have already wagered millions on sports. Nationally, the numbers are even higher.

“This is the biggest time of the year when it comes to sports betting,” Alex Jacquez, Chief of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative, said. “Analysts expect that people will wager more than $3.3 billion on games during March Madness.”

Jacquez says the structure of the tournament plays a big role in its popularity among bettors.

“You have weeks of play, and you have dozens of games going on every single day for opportunities for people to bet on,” Jacquez said.

While most people participate without issue, experts warn that the rapid growth of sports betting can come with risks.

“If you’re losing and you’re trying to chase those losses by betting more, that’s a red flag,” Eick said.

Jacquez added that a small portion of users often accounts for the majority of gambling activity.

“We’ve seen that 86% of revenue comes from just 5% of bettors,” Jacquez said.

With betting more accessible through mobile apps, he says it’s important for users to stay in control.

“Never bet anything you can’t afford to lose,” Jacquez said.

State officials also stress the importance of using regulated platforms to ensure safety and accountability.

“The best way for Iowans to protect themselves is to wager with a licensed sportsbook,” Eick said.

As the tournament continues and bets pile up, experts say the key is balancing the excitement of March Madness with responsible gambling habits.

March is also problem gambling awareness month. If you or someone you know needs help, resources are available through the state, click here to learn more.