Wayland, Mich. (March 16, 2026) – Gun Lake Casino Resort is preparing for what is expected to be a record-setting wave of wagering during this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, with fans placing bets both in person at the casino’s sportsbook and online through the Play Gun Lake mobile app.
As the excitement of college basketball’s biggest tournament builds, the casino anticipates unprecedented engagement from fans across Michigan placing wagers on their favorite teams and tournament matchups. The surge reflects continued growth in regulated sports betting since its launch in Michigan in January 2021.
At Gun Lake Casino Resort, fans can watch every game in the 131 Sportsbar & Lounge, featuring 35 screens broadcasting the entire tournament, creating one of West Michigan’s most immersive viewing experiences for basketball fans.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for sports fans,” said Tom Kang, Sportsbook Manager. “From casual fans filling out brackets to serious bettors analyzing every matchup, we expect to see a record number of wagers placed both online and at our sportsbook throughout the tournament.”
Regulated Sports Betting Continues to Grow
Since legal sports betting launched in Michigan, regulated platforms like Play Gun Lake have continued to grow steadily while supporting local jobs, and local and state revenues.
At the same time, a new category of platforms known as prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket, has begun to mimic sports betting by allowing users to speculate on real-world outcomes, including sporting events. In 2025, Kalshi saw an increase of 400% growth in total volume, up to $64 billion, with 90% of their contracts occurring on sporting events.
Combined Kalshi and Polymarket saw over 1,000% growth in individual volume, largely driven by 2025 election and sports betting. For context, regulated online sports betting in Michigan grew by just 46% over the same period.
“Prediction markets allow users to bet on almost anything,” said Brian Decorah, General Manager of Gun Lake Casino Resort. “But you can’t bet on the things that matter most to our communities like local jobs, local revenue sharing, consumer protections, strict age verification, and safeguards against insider trading. These untaxed platforms often hinge on individual actions, which create enormous opportunities for insider trading, manipulation and corruption.”
Regulated online sportsbooks in Michigan operate under oversight from the Michigan Gaming Control Board and must comply with strict rules regarding responsible gaming, age restrictions, and transparency.
Keeping the Action, and the Benefits, in Michigan
Gun Lake Casino Resort emphasizes that when fans place bets through regulated platforms like Play Gun Lake or at the casino sportsbook, the benefits stay in Michigan.
Revenue from tribal gaming operations supports thousands of jobs and funds tribal government services, community initiatives, and regional economic development. “Every wager placed through regulated gaming helps support real people and real communities here in Michigan,” said Decorah. “We invite fans to enjoy the tournament, watch the games with us, and place their bets through platforms that provide consumer protections and keep the economic benefits local.”
In 2025, the Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that $27.1 million in taxes and fees were paid to the state of Michigan by online commercial and tribal sports betting operators.
For more information about sports betting at Gun Lake Casino Resort or to download the Bet Gun Lake app, visit the casino website or follow Gun Lake Casino Resort on social media. For a full list of regulated online sportsbooks in Michigan, please visit the website of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. For more information about the gaming industry’s stance on prediction markets, and the estimated tax dollars lost, please visit the website of the American Gaming Association at https://www.americangaming.org/sports-event-contracts/.