Too-early-to-tell totals from regulators in the handful of states that have reported March results so far show the Madness was a bit less mad than last year, with the more populous states down 5% or more compared to 2025. New Jersey was down 9%, New York was down 5% and Indiana was down 6%. Maryland broke trend, increasing 3% even though the Terps missed the field.
The Sweet 16 included 12 teams from legalized states this year, compared to 10 last year. Asterisk in both years goes to my alma mater Florida, where sports betting is legal but totals are not reported.
