Adults in Arizona bet more than $1.6 billion on sports last year during the months that include March Madness. Yet most people recently surveyed think gambling affects the integrity of college basketball.
Nearly 57% of those surveyed in a national poll by Sacred Heart University say sports betting somewhat or significantly affects the integrity of college basketball.
A slightly higher percentage worries that college athletes may face pressure from gambling interests.
“You have young, vulnerable, relatively poor, compared to professional athletes, competing. And (it's) probably rife for more corruption,” said professor Josh Shuart, director of the sport management program. “The thrill of live sports is anything can happen on any given day. And you’ll see that in full bloom with the NCAA tournament.”
That includes the University of Arizona men’s team playing Friday and the Arizona State University women’s team playing Thursday.
The total amount bet on sports in Arizona during the months that include March Madness increased by more than $200 million between 2024 and 2025.
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