Sports Betting Weekly Recap: Euphoria Amid MLB and NCAA Events
Bit of a crazy week in the U.S. sports betting world, ain't it? Here's a quick rundown of the top headlines, peppered with some spicy insights and the latest trends to keep you in the loop.
Sports Betting Mania!
You know what's causing a frenzy this week? Baseball and the NBA playoffs, baby! As the MLB regular season gears up and the NCAA March Madness reaches its intense finale, the betting world is absolutely lit.
You might've heard about some rule changes in baseball this year, like the new pitch clock affecting microbetting. With a combined fan base of millions, there's plenty of conversations happening on podcasts, with pals, and, of course, our sport betting experts trying to snag an edge on those multi-month futures bets.
As for the final games of the NCAA tourney, it's been wild, to say the least. Some folks out there are clinging on to tickets with odds as absurd as 2500/1 on Florida Atlantic University to win it all! Some places, though, have a heavy bias on UConn, that top-tier underdog.
The latest in the sports betting world
Officially signing the sports wagering bill into law, Kentucky joins the sports betting party. Well, North Carolina ain't too far behind, making some moves regarding mobile betting. Over in South Carolina, they might finally decide to hop on board, too! Unfortunately for Georgia, legalization efforts for this year are all dried up.
Talking about connections, Massachusetts is being picky with revenue-sharing deals with affiliate marketers. As for college campuses, they're stirring up some controversy with marketing guidelines and partnerships between sportsbooks and universities in the spotlight.
In the land of the Nutmeggers, the Connecticut Lottery's seeking a new sportsbook operator to partner up. Meanwhile, some NFL teams are anxious to open in-stadium sportsbooks on game days.
The future of sports betting
Could betbots disrupt the whole ecosystem? Maybe! It's an intriguing question that's making a lot of waves. As for the numbers, the sports betting scene in various states is performing just as expected in 2025. Nevada's handle slips in February, while Virginia's revenue dips under $40 million, with Arizona setting a record in January.
Finally, a bill in Rhode Island could allow placing bets on state teams participating in a tournament. Well, that's all for now, folks! Keep posted for more updates on the ever-evolving U.S. sports betting scene. Stay rad!
Illinois pop-up RG bill advances
A responsible gambling bill that would require online sports betting operators in Illinois to display a notification at least once every hour about the time spent on their website and the amount wagered, with hyperlinks to gambling addiction services provided, has unanimously passed the state Senate. The bill, SB 1508, is notably different from the initial version presented on March 9, which called for a pop-up notification after every 10 wagers made by an individual.
Unstoppable growth in the betting world
The sports betting industry continues to thrive, with approximately $150 billion wagered in 2025, marking a rapid growth in the sector. Legal states are even outpacing their performance from last year. In fact, legal sports betting was launched in North Carolina and Vermont during 2024, resulting in a significant increase of 24.8% in commercial sports betting revenue[3].
The road to legalization
As states continue to embrace sports betting, the landscape is changing rapidly. The legislation has been favorable, leading to more accessible opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite sports. Currently, there is no specific mention of rule changes in baseball or the NCAA Tournament at the legislative level.
The industry puts its best foot forward
To ensure fair play and consumer protection, the industry operates under continuous regulatory oversight. State governments are diligent in tracking and updating their oversight measures accordingly.
The game of basketball and gambling
When it comes to sports, basketball has always had its fair share of attention. In 2025, about 55% of consumers have participated in some form of sports betting, indicating that public engagement in the activity is high[4]. The NFL has particularly seen interest in specific teams and divisions, with the New England Patriots drawing a lot of bets despite not being favorites to win their division in 2025[1].
Reference(s):1. ESPN2. Statista3. American Gaming Association4. ESPN5. Statista
- The bookmaker odds for Florida Atlantic University to win the NCAA tourney are as high as 2500/1, and some people are hanging onto their tickets despite the improbable odds.
- Kentucky has officially signed the sports wagering bill into law, joining the sports betting party that's already lit up by the MLB playoffs and the NBA playoffs.
- In the MLB, the new pitch clock is impacting microbetting, with fans and sports betting experts trying to adjust their strategies for multi-month futures bets.
- The Connecticut Lottery is seeking a new sportsbook operator to partner with, while some NFL teams are looking to open in-stadium sportsbooks on game days.
