March Madness: New Canadian Study Highlights Gambling Risks for Young Bettors

Posted on: March 25, 2025, 11:07h.

Last updated on: March 25, 2025, 12:06h.

Mark Keast Read More

Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.

Responsible Gambling Council releases new study as NCAA Sweet 16 betting gears up
Young people: One in 10 (9%) gamble in an attempt to recover past losses
41% of those surveyed said they gambled more than they could afford to lose

March Madness betting in Canada is ramping up as the Sweet 16 portion of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament is set to start on Thursday.

The Responsible Gambling Council released a survey as March Madness heads into the Sweet 16 phase Thursday, pointing to higher gambling risks for young bettors. (Image: Shutterstock)

With no back-to-back champion (UConn is out), what’s left are seven teams from the SEC, four from the Big Ten, four from the Big 12, and a team from the ACC. The Alabama Crimson Tide (2) versus the BYU Cougars (6) lead things off Thursday at 7:09 p.m. EST, with games over two days.

[March Madness] definitely generates good interest for us,” said a spokesperson for PointsBet Canada. “And we expect volume to go up as the tournament goes on.”

Canada’s Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) released what they call a Big Games sports betting survey focusing on young people betting on major sports events, like March Madness, highlighting guard rails around problem gambling.

77% of Ontarians Plan on Placing a Bet

Most Ontarians (89%) plan to watch at least one major sporting event this year, and over three quarters (77%) will place a wager on a big game, like the Sweet 16, Stanley Cup playoffs, World Series, FIFA World Cup, or the Super Bowl.

The RGC survey shows that two in five bettors (41%) said they’ve wagered more than they can afford to lose in the past year, and 39% said gambling has led to stress and anxiety.

Younger People at Higher Risk

The survey said those risk factors are higher among younger people and March Madness bettors.

Most Ontarians bet to have fun but the biggest gambling risk is the illusion of control – the misconception that an outcome can be predicted, which can lead to over confidence that skill and knowledge of sports gives an advantage in winning,” said RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy. “Regardless of sports knowledge and expertise, gambling is random – but a plan to manage risk shouldn’t be.”

According to the survey, 47% said the primary drive to gamble is to win money, while 44% said they wager to enhance game excitement.

Most “Big Game” bettors (72%) believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge in predicting outcomes. One in 10 (9%) gamble in an attempt to recover past losses – a motivation you see more with young people and lower-income bettors. One-third (35%) say gambling has caused financial problems for them or their household.

Super Bowl Betting No. 1

March Madness betting appeals to young Ontarians, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color bettors, with higher average bets of $323, while Super Bowl LIX last month was popular among older and white Ontarians, with average bets at $190.

The most popular Big Game event for betting in Ontario, according to the survey: