Michigan Gaming Control Board encourages responsible betting for NCAA Championship, reminds residents to bet only on legal platforms

DETROIT, April 2, 2025 — As the highly anticipated NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game approaches on April 7, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is urging residents to bet responsibly and only use legal, regulated platforms for their wagers. With the growing popularity of online gambling, the risk of encountering illegal offshore platforms—which lack the consumer protections and safeguards of licensed sites—also increases.

“As millions of fans gear up to watch the NCAA Championship, we want to remind Michigan residents to enjoy March Madness safely and legally by placing their bets on licensed platforms,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB. “Betting on illegal, offshore websites exposes you to risks such as fraud, unfair play, and a lack of responsible gaming support. It’s critical that bettors use platforms regulated by the state to protect themselves and their personal information.”

In Michigan, online sports betting and iGaming platforms must adhere to strict regulations to ensure fairness and protect consumers. A sports betting company can only obtain a license if it has a platform provider relationship with one of the state’s three commercial casinos or one of the 12 federally recognized tribes operating Class III casinos. These platform providers are licensed as suppliers under Michigan’s Lawful Sports Betting Act (See 432.408 of the Act), ensuring a secure and regulated framework for safe gambling.

Michigan’s sports betting regulations are designed to balance consumer protection, responsible gaming, and regulatory compliance. To ensure safety, the MGCB strongly encourages residents to only use authorized, licensed internet gaming providers in the state.

Here are some key factors players should consider when selecting a legal, regulated online gambling platform:

• Licensing and Regulation: Always verify that the platform is licensed by the MGCB. Michigan residents can find a list of authorized, licensed gaming providers on the MGCB’s Internet Gaming and Fantasy Contests page at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

   

• Security and Data Protection: Legal platforms use industry-standard encryption (such as SSL) to protect your personal and financial information. Ensure that your chosen platform has robust security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access.

   

• Game Variety: A reputable, legal gambling platform offers a wide range of games, including slots, table games, live dealer options, and potentially sports betting or poker, catering to different player preferences.

   

• Payment Methods: Trustworthy platforms offer secure and reliable payment methods with transparent deposit and withdrawal policies. Make sure the platform supports safe payment processing.

   

• Fairness and Randomness: Regulated platforms are regularly audited and independently tested to ensure their games are fair and outcomes are random, providing a safe and transparent gaming experience.

   

• Responsible Gaming Measures: Legal sites promote responsible gaming by offering tools such as self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and cooling-off periods. These platforms also provide links to problem gambling resources. Michigan residents can access responsible gaming information on the MGCB website or visit DontRegretTheBet.org for tips and guidance.

   

• Customer Support: Licensed platforms offer reliable customer support through various channels like chat, email, or phone, ensuring that users can get help when needed.

   

• User-Friendly Interface: A quality platform should be intuitive and easy to navigate, helping players find their preferred games or information without hassle.

   

• Reputation and Reviews: Research the platform and check player reviews to gauge its reliability, performance, and overall user experience. This helps ensure you’re choosing a trustworthy provider.

As always, the MGCB encourages all bettors to practice responsible gaming. Players should bet within their means and follow Michigan’s legal gambling age requirements — 21 for sports betting, 21 to open an internet wagering account, and 18 for fantasy sports contests.

For more information on responsible gaming, visit Michigan.gov/MGCB or call 888-223-3044 to speak with a Responsible Gaming Representative.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Michigan citizens can also visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.