Proposal would make office pools friendlier in eyes of law

For every Californian who has celebrated March Madness or a Super Bowl by popping a few bucks into an office betting pool, proposed new state legislation is designed to help you sleep easier.

Passage of the measure would remove the possibility of jail time for organizing or participating in nonprofit, all-in-fun office pools.

"Folks making a friendly wager with friends or co-workers should not have to worry about committing a crime," said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, who proposed the measure.

The Lake Elsinore Republican said his goal is to make the punishment fit the offense – not to legalize office betting.

In a state where residents can gamble daily on Indian casino games, Lotto and horse racing, Jeffries sees no reason to hammer them for friendly betting on major sporting events.

Under Assembly Bill 1852, violators would be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a $500 fine. Current law allows first offenders to be jailed for up to one year and fined $5,000.

The bill has not yet attracted formal opposition, but spokesmen for problem gamblers warn that encouraging office betting can exacerbate temptations for those trying to kick the habit.

"The more money involved, the more problems there are with it," said David Robertson, a board member of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling in Washington, D.C.

Jeffries' bill was sparked by the Riverside County arrests of Margaret Hamblin, 73, and Cari Gardner, 39, on charges of operating a $50 betting pool at an Elks Lodge in 2006.

Hamblin and Gardner ultimately pleaded guilty and were fined $130. Their guilty pleas later were dismissed, according to the (Riverside) Press-Enterprise.

"I think most law enforcement officers would agree that their time is better spent going after hardened criminals," Jeffries said.

The Assembly has not yet scheduled a public hearing on AB 1852.

State statistics were not readily available Monday on how many people are jailed, if any, for offenses related to office pools.

Officials of the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County Sheriff's Department said they knew of no local arrests or complaints.

"It's not something that we aggressively pursue," said police Sgt. Matt Young. "But I'm sure if we got a report that there were thousands of dollars involved, it would grab our attention."

Federal law prohibits California from legalizing office pools or any other form of sports- related gambling.

Betting pools typically spread through workplaces like wildfire before prime sporting events, including the World Series, Super Bowl and NCAA Basketball Tournament.

More than 40 percent of U.S. workers have participated during the past year in office pools, most of requiring wagers of less than $20, according to national surveys.

Office pools can be structured in various ways, but typically they pool money from co-workers to bankroll cash prizes based on the outcome of a game or some subcategory, such as a halftime score.

Several people interviewed randomly Monday outside Java City in midtown Sacramento laughed at the notion of jailing someone for nonprofit office pools.

"I don't know how many corporations I've worked for where they pass it around on Fridays," said Chris Justice, 33, a mortgage broker. "I feel it's harmless. It's not like it's any kind of organized crime or racket."

Jeff Doolittle, 50, said he once served an internship at a law enforcement agency where workers participated in a Super Bowl pool, which he likened to penny-ante poker.

"I don't think it's high-stakes gaming," said Doolittle, a property manager, landlord and automotive technician. "(Jailing participants) is silly."

Ronald Long, owner of MVP's Sports Grill in midtown, said he does not organize betting pools but has participated in them.

"No harm, no foul," he said. "Nobody gets hurt."

Others question the lost productivity, and perhaps the borrowing of money among co-workers, that can stem from office pools.

Executive Director Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling said his group neither supports nor opposes AB 1852.

For a problem gambler, however, being surrounded by office pools can be just as harmful as a co-worker's three-martini lunch might be to an alcoholic, Whyte said.

Jim Pedderson, spokesman for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a national employment consulting firm, said office pools can enhance workplaces by encouraging conversation.

"Because people are going to do it anyway, why not join them if you can't beat them – and actually use it to enhance morale and camaraderie?" he said, adding that offices should encourage non-cash prizes, such as restaurant gift certificates.

About the writer:

• Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.