Workplace Gambling, Distractions During March Madness

by Katie Culliton, Senior Editor, CalChamber

The 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament, aka “March Madness,” — one of the most exciting sports events of the year that involves millions of both die-hard and casual fans — kicks off on March 17 with the “First Four” games being played.

From now until the crowning championship game on April 6, basketball enthusiasts nationwide will be glued to their screens. Without a doubt, many of these screens will be at workplaces, because unlike major spectacles like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals that are played largely outside of working hours, the NCAA Championship series is 67 games played out over the course of three weeks, with games played every day, virtually all day — so employers should be mindful of the potential for accompanying distractions and productivity loss.

In fact, in 2025, these distractions can cost businesses up to a mind-blowing $17 billion per year in lost productivity, according to a 2025 Wallet Hub report, which also suggests that 25 percent of employees are willing to skip work to watch March Madness and 33 percent will watch it at work.

Plus, the tournament is also one of the busiest times of the year for sports gambling, which is illegal in California workplaces.

But it's not all bad! The tournament also presents opportunities for employers to introduce creative ways of boosting morale and employee engagement. Here are some things for employers to keep in mind as March Madness (or any other workplace distractions) gets started.