NCAA’s March Madness and the need for responsible gambling in sports

March Madness is here, and with it comes all the excitement surrounding one of the most iconic tournaments in college basketball.
Fans and players have eagerly stayed up and focused on the range of high-stakes games and bracket challenges.

Especially since organisations like the NCAA and local communities are working hand in hand to ensure the tournament remains a fair and safe experience for all.

2025 NCAA men’s tournament bracket

The final four games kicked off on Saturday, the 5th of April 2025, with Auburn facing Florida and Duke playing Houston at the Alamodome.

The results lead to a final faceoff between Houston (Cougars) and Florida (Gators) on the 7th of April. This marks the 11th time that two no 1 seeds meet for the national title.

For a minute, it didn’t seem like Florida would make the finals, considering the team was about 9 points behind during the semifinals against Auburn. However, Walter Clayton Jr.'s stout guard play secured them the coveted spot.

Houston also didn’t have it easy, but their fight towards the finals was filled with thrilling finishes. In fact, they managed to pull off one of the most remarkable comebacks in the NCAA tournament history against Duke during the Final Four.

The match up

Florida has one of the best frontcourt players. The Gators easily wear teams down with the number of players they have to rotate around, but Houston's tough frontcourt turned this into a unique test.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot at stake, especially for Houston, which is seeking its first national title in this program's history. However, this is another year the Cougars have come close to a championship title, but it was still left slightly out of reach.

Florida Gators ultimately won the 2025 men's NCAA championship in a spectacular game and a 65–63 final score! This is their first championship in 18 years and a third one overall.

Shifting focus

While some view basketball purely as a form of entertainment, it is the perfect opportunity for sports bettors. In fact, it’s considered one of the biggest betting opportunities for basketball fans, aside from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Euro League.

The biggest problem is that the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments tend to be associated with wagering violations. While betting by insiders and athletes is forbidden, it has become quite common... not to mention the temptations that arise from sportsbook platforms and gambling ads.

Insider betting and match-fixing are considered among the biggest gambling scandals in professional sports, so it makes sense for the league to put more effort towards combating them.

This undermines the sector's integrity and may lead to suspensions and fines. For this reason, the NCAA implemented several measures to prevent fraudulent activity and insider betting throughout March Madness and other events.

Key strategies include:

• Advanced monitoring technology: The NCAA uses tools like ProhiBet to flag any unauthorised betting. The tool cross-references the personal details of athletes, coaches, and staff against sportsbook databases.
• Educational programs: They also launched several comprehensive initiatives that serve to educate all participants regarding the risks and consequences of insider betting.
• Stricter rules: Of course, it should be mentioned that athletes, coaches, and staff are prohibited from engaging in sports betting or sharing insider information.
• Collaborating with regulatory bodies: The NCAA is also working closely with sportsbooks and compliance organisations to ensure full transparency and prevent match-fixing.

The promotion of responsible gambling

Resources to assist with and prevent problem gambling during high-stakes events like the NCAA March Madness tournament and National Championship are also in place.

Basketball is among the top sports to bet on, so active campaigns are needed for help and prevention. Some of the key initiatives are:

• A confidential helpline – Maine has a 24/7 helpline (211) that individuals can use to get support or guidance with anything related to gambling addiction.
• Educational campaigns – A lot of effort has been put into increasing public awareness efforts, primarily focusing on recognising the signs of problem gambling and promoting responsible betting practices.
• Treatment programs – There are recovery programs and counselling services available to help those struggling with gambling disorders.
• Self-help resources – On top of the treatment programs, there are also tools provided by the Maine Council on Problem Gambling. These include self-assessment tests, tips for responsible gambling, and webinars to educate the community.

All of these resources are made available to support bettors during big events and beyond. You can find others in our play safe guides.

One step at a time

While there has been a massive amount of betting taking place, reports suggest that there has been a decrease in insider betting incidents in comparison with previous years, meaning the new initiatives taken by the NCAA are making an impact. Any discrepancies have been flagged to ensure compliance.

Another highlight is that more bettors have actively engaged with responsible gambling tools and resources throughout March Madness.