by FOXSports.com

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According to the American Gaming Association, the FBI estimates that Americans wager more than $2.5 billion every year on college basketball bracket pools with co-workers, friends and family. Even with the recession, this year looks to be no different. According to the MSN Hoops Hysteria Survey, 45 percent of Americans plan to enter at least one college basketball tournament pool, and more than 20 percent plan to enter three or more.

Although unemployment is expected to rise even further, the economy is not breaking the spirits of American basketball fans. More than half of those entering pools are planning to wager at least $20 this year, and 22 percent believe those entry fees will fare better than their 401(k).

Even more, the dedicated fans of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) are pulling out the big bucks, with 36 percent planning to wager at least $40 on their pools, reinforcing their confidence in their bracket and teams.

Not everyone has such an optimistic outlook, though. At least 15 percent of Americans responded they will spend less money on pools than they did last year, with another 10 percent deciding to not wager anything, stating money is too tight or it is irresponsible in these uncertain economic times.

While Americans may have a fun attitude toward entering basketball brackets, most are grounded in reality. When asked what they would do if they won $1 million in a bracket pool, three-fourths said they would either pay off debt or save it.

The MSN.com survey was conducted online in February. The random sample of 1,078 men and women were age 18 or older who planned on participating in a college basketball pool this year. The overall sampling error rate for the survey was +/-3 percent.

The survey results from 1,078 respondents (612 men, 466 women):

1. How many college basketball tournament pools do you plan to enter this year?

One: 45% (men 42%, women 50%)

Two: 34% (men 35%, women 34%)

Three: 9% (men 11%, women 7%)

Four or more: 12% (men 12%, women 9%)

2. How many did you enter last year?

One: 43% (men 41%, women 44%)

Two: 26% (men 28%, women 24%)

Three: 11% (men 11%, women 10%)

Four or more: 12% (men 14%, women 10%)

3. How much money do you plan on putting into your pool(s)?

Less than $5: 13% (men 11%, women 14%)

$5 to $9.99: 16% (men 14%, women 18%)

$10 to $14.99: 15% (men 15%, women 16%)

$15 to $19.99: 5% (men 5%, women 6%)

$20 to $24.99: 15% (men 15%, women 14%)

$25 to $29.99: 10% (men 9%, women 11%)

$30 to $34.99: 4% (men 2%, women 6%)

$35 to $39.99: 1% (men 2%, women 1%)

$40 to $44.99: 5% (men 5%, women 5%)

$45 to $49.99: 2% (men 3%, women 1%)

$50 or more: 14% (men 19%, women 8%)

4. How does this amount of money compare to how much you spent on entry fees for college basketball tournament pools last year?

More: 13% (men 13%, women 14%)

Less: 15% (men 13%, women 18%)

Same: 72% (men 74%, women 68%)

5. Which statement best describes how the current economic situation affects the amount of money you plan to enter in college basketball tournament pools?

College basketball is my thing! Nothing will prevent me from participating in a pool!: 37% (men 47%, women 25%)

I'm in! I'll probably do better than my 401K!: 22% (men 24%, women 21%)

I'm still not sure how much I'll venture on pools this year because of my finances: 14% (men 7%, women 22%)

I usually do well in college basketball pools. I need the extra money: 12% (men 9%, women 16%)

Money is too tight to gamble with right now: 7% (men 7%, women 7%)

I need the money, so I'll enter more pools hoping to win: 5% (men 4%, women 6%)

Gambling in these uncertain economic times is irresponsible: 3% (men 2%, women 3%)

6. If you were to win $1 million successfully picking a perfect bracket, what is the first thing you would do?

Pay off debt: 59% (men 55%, women 64%)

Save it: 16% (men 16%, women 16%)

Go on a cruise to exotic lands: 8% (men 9%, women 7%)

Head to Vegas, ‘cause I'm on a roll: 5% (men 7%, women 3%)

Book reservations and buy tickets for next year's championship: 4% (men 4%, women 4%)

Take the money and never enter a pool again: 4% (men 4%, women 4%)

Give it to charity: 4% (men 5%, women 2%)