NCAA brackets should be fun, even with billions as stake

According to a March 18 news release by the American Gaming Association (AGA), about 47 million American adults will wager $8.5 billion on this year’s NCAA mens basketball tournament.

Other findings in a survey conducted by the AGA indicate $4.6 billion will be wagered on a collective 149 million brackets by more than 400 million people. Nearly 18 million people will wager $3.9 billion at a sportsbook establishment (4.1 million people), online (5.2 million, likely at illegal offshore sites) or with a bookie (2.4 million) or friend.

“During this year’s tournament, sports fans are expected to be...