H2 Estimates March Madness 2026 To Hit $4 Billion
Highlights
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Research firm H2 Gambling Capital projects that sportsbooks will reach $4 billion in 2026.
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US Bettors are more inclined towards baseball, accounting for 32% of the handle in the US sports betting market in 2025.
The recently published report from H2 Gambling Capital indicates that sportsbooks across the country will accept approximately $4 billion in total wagers across the NCAA editions of both men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
The stats also suggest an increase of about 6.7 percent compared to the 2025 edition.
H2 attributes the increase to two primary factors. Firstly, the regulated betting market is experiencing consistent growth across US states. The second would be the launch of the Missouri betting market in December.
The prevailing perception is that the prediction market platforms can have a greater impact in states without legal sportsbooks. And it can have less influence in places where people can legally bet on sports.
” On that basis, H2 estimates that prediction markets are likely to generate a ‘handle equivalent’ volume of c. $135- 150 m in states where there is legal sports wagering.”
During March Madness, sportsbooks usually earn less profit per bet compared to professional sports. This is partly because bettors place fewer same-game parlays. Since college basketball players are less well-known, bets on individual player performances (player props) are also less popular.
However, it is worth noting that basketball has been wagered on across the US, accounting for 32% of the sports betting handle in the previous year.
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The stats also suggest an increase of about 6.7 percent compared to the 2025 edition.
H2 attributes the increase to two primary factors. Firstly, the regulated betting market is experiencing consistent growth across US states. The second would be the launch of the Missouri betting market in December.
The prevailing perception is that the prediction market platforms can have a greater impact in states without legal sportsbooks. And it can have less influence in places where people can legally bet on sports.
” On that basis, H2 estimates that prediction markets are likely to generate a ‘handle equivalent’ volume of c. $135- 150 m in states where there is legal sports wagering.”
During March Madness, sportsbooks usually earn less profit per bet compared to professional sports. This is partly because bettors place fewer same-game parlays. Since college basketball players are less well-known, bets on individual player performances (player props) are also less popular.
However, it is worth noting that basketball has been wagered on across the US, accounting for 32% of the sports betting handle in the previous year.
To know the full news story, Read Here!
