Illegal Gambling Situations

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Ever wondered if your March Madness office pool is harmless fun or an illegal gambling ring? Could you be prosecuted for participating? The smell of freshly-pressed bracket sheets fills the office air. The water cooler talk of upsets, sure things, and Cinderella stories remind us that March Madness, college basketball's championship tournament, is here again.

  1. Illegal Gambling Situations Legal
  2. Illegal Gambling Situations Against
  3. Illegal Gambling Situations Meaning

Countries in which association with criminal elements have made gambling illegal Russia. Gambling had been associated with several large criminal organizations within the country for some time. This situation prompted the succeeding regime to enact laws to restrict gambling to only four regions in the entire country. Forms of gambling is an increase in government revenue. However, there are occasional situations where the introduction of a new form of gambling contributing to government revenue primarily cuts into the revenue of another form that also contributes to government revenue. SINGAPORE – Nine suspects, seven of whom have been arrested, are being investigated over their involvement in illegal remote gambling activities. More than $170,000 in cash was seized during an operation on Dec 9 and 10 by the Criminal Investigation Department. The suspects, four women and five men aged between 43 and 75, are believed. The primary laws that apply to box breaking are state anti-gambling statutes. Virtually every state has some form of these laws. They provide that if a game, sweepstakes, lottery, giveaway, or sale of a product or service has: 1) a prize, 2) an element of chance in determining the winner, and, 3) consideration, i.e. Some type of payment.

Illegal gambling situations legal

by Maynard Ontario
updated July 17, 2014 · 3min read

Illegal Gambling SituationsIllegal gambling situations againstIllegalIllegal

Ever wondered if your March Madness office pool is harmless fun or an illegal gambling ring? Could you be prosecuted for participating?

The smell of freshly-pressed bracket sheets fills the office air. The water cooler talk of upsets, sure things, and Cinderella stories remind us that March Madness, college basketball's championship tournament, is here again.


For many Americans, the March Madness office pool is a sacred tradition. According to online gambling site LazerWager, 2008 March Madness office pools were worth more than $2.5 billion with 27% of American employees participating. But while you study the match-ups and make your picks, you may be asking yourself: 'Is my office pool legal?'
In short: No. Betting on college sports is legal only in Nevada, where it now brings in more than $600 million a year. Though the FBI may not be conducting 24-hour surveillance on your cubicle, participating in or organizing inter-office gambling, like all unlicensed sports betting, is illegal. In most states, involvement in such pools can result in a misdemeanor charge and up to one year in prison.
In reality, the likelihood of facing prosecution for participating in an office betting pool as an employee or employer is virtually nonexistent. Employers, however, face significantly higher risk than employees. And if you're the company owner, the liability risk may be more than you're willing to accept. Many bosses and owners may laugh at the fact that their 'little office pool' is actually illegal. And although the risk of prosecution is low, if you own the company, you need to be aware that March Madness can pose serious legal liabilities.
Though you may have to be the party pooper, it is up to the company owner to set certain rules regarding gambling at work. A clear, concise section in your company's employee handbook should explain the legalities involved in inter-office betting. If you decide to prohibit or restrict gambling at the workplace, explain both the workplace and legal consequences so employees are aware that you take the issue seriously.
If you own the property where your workplace is located, you have even more liability risk. The owner of the premises where gambling is conducted is subject to the same criminal liability as the organizers and participants whether or not he or she is involved in a single bet.
The other side of the coin is that office pools usually carry low bet amounts and can create camaraderie among employees. The possibilities of long-shots and underdog victories make March Madness one of the most exciting events in sports; even non-sports fans are easily swept up in the enthusiasm. Following a team, trash-talking with friends, and putting a little money down add to the fun and can help foster a sense of community among employees.
If you do decide to organize or allow an office pool, you can reduce your liability risk by keeping the stakes low and separating gambling and work. Avoid online brackets and keep your pool on paper. Prevent disruption at work by prohibiting game-watching over the Internet and encouraging pool participation only during breaks and lunch. Rather than using the typical buy-in bracket model, allow everyone to participate for free and simply provide prizes for the winners. Organize after-work parties to watch the games together. Make it fun—you may be able to build camaraderie without the added risks.
Good luck with your brackets!

Illegal Gambling Situations Against

Ever wondered if your March Madness office pool is harmless fun or an illegal gambling ring? Could you be prosecuted for participating? The smell of freshly-pressed bracket sheets fills the office air. The water cooler talk of upsets, sure things, and Cinderella stories remind us that March Madness, college basketball's championship tournament, is here again.

by Maynard Ontario
updated July 17, 2014 · 3min read

Ever wondered if your March Madness office pool is harmless fun or an illegal gambling ring? Could you be prosecuted for participating?

The smell of freshly-pressed bracket sheets fills the office air. The water cooler talk of upsets, sure things, and Cinderella stories remind us that March Madness, college basketball's championship tournament, is here again.

Illegal Gambling Situations Meaning


For many Americans, the March Madness office pool is a sacred tradition. According to online gambling site LazerWager, 2008 March Madness office pools were worth more than $2.5 billion with 27% of American employees participating. But while you study the match-ups and make your picks, you may be asking yourself: 'Is my office pool legal?'
In short: No. Betting on college sports is legal only in Nevada, where it now brings in more than $600 million a year. Though the FBI may not be conducting 24-hour surveillance on your cubicle, participating in or organizing inter-office gambling, like all unlicensed sports betting, is illegal. In most states, involvement in such pools can result in a misdemeanor charge and up to one year in prison.
In reality, the likelihood of facing prosecution for participating in an office betting pool as an employee or employer is virtually nonexistent. Employers, however, face significantly higher risk than employees. And if you're the company owner, the liability risk may be more than you're willing to accept. Many bosses and owners may laugh at the fact that their 'little office pool' is actually illegal. And although the risk of prosecution is low, if you own the company, you need to be aware that March Madness can pose serious legal liabilities.
Though you may have to be the party pooper, it is up to the company owner to set certain rules regarding gambling at work. A clear, concise section in your company's employee handbook should explain the legalities involved in inter-office betting. If you decide to prohibit or restrict gambling at the workplace, explain both the workplace and legal consequences so employees are aware that you take the issue seriously.
If you own the property where your workplace is located, you have even more liability risk. The owner of the premises where gambling is conducted is subject to the same criminal liability as the organizers and participants whether or not he or she is involved in a single bet.
The other side of the coin is that office pools usually carry low bet amounts and can create camaraderie among employees. The possibilities of long-shots and underdog victories make March Madness one of the most exciting events in sports; even non-sports fans are easily swept up in the enthusiasm. Following a team, trash-talking with friends, and putting a little money down add to the fun and can help foster a sense of community among employees.
If you do decide to organize or allow an office pool, you can reduce your liability risk by keeping the stakes low and separating gambling and work. Avoid online brackets and keep your pool on paper. Prevent disruption at work by prohibiting game-watching over the Internet and encouraging pool participation only during breaks and lunch. Rather than using the typical buy-in bracket model, allow everyone to participate for free and simply provide prizes for the winners. Organize after-work parties to watch the games together. Make it fun—you may be able to build camaraderie without the added risks.
Good luck with your brackets!