ST. CHARLES, Mo. (First Alert 4) – March Madness fever hit Buffalo Wild Wings in St. Charles as basketball enthusiasts packed the establishment to enjoy the thrill of the games alongside cold beer and delicious chicken wings.
On Thursday, the venue was bustling at near full capacity, with fans taking a break from their daily routines to immerse themselves in the excitement of the tournament.
“This is amazing,” shared Jay Grosman. “I get to take a break from my real job.”
Josh Toal echoed similar sentiments, stating, “You cannot pass up the opportunity to watch basketball, drink beer, and eat chicken wings.”
Management at Buffalo Wild Wings confirmed that March Madness is one of their busiest weeks of the year, indicating significant boosts in profits. When asked about the increased revenue, they simply stated, “It’s a great week to own a sports bar.”
However, amidst the excitement, some fans pointed out what they perceive as a missed opportunity for Missouri by not legalizing sports betting.
“You know I’m going to talk to the governor today and see what I can do,” joked Toal. “If we had a sportsbook – woah – you’re talking a lot of revenue, and I would be there right now.”
Toal’s sentiments are backed by the success of sports betting in neighboring Illinois. Since legalizing sports betting in March 2020, the state has seen over $30 billion in revenue from this form of entertainment.
While the majority of patrons at Buffalo Wild Wings were absorbed in the basketball action, Tonii Saffore stood out as someone uninterested in the games.
“For the food, only for the food, yeah. I know nothing about sports. I don’t really care about it,” Saffore remarked.
In the spirit of March Madness, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a consolation prize for those with busted brackets. Patrons can redeem six free wings at any participating location in the bi-state region by presenting their bracket.
