Putting the Madness in March Madness

Consider this a public service announcement for all of you Washington state Reasonoids:

As the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament gets underway, Washington gambling officials are pointing out that those ubiquitous betting pools based on NCAA bracket sheets are technically illegal….

NCAA pools, which typically involve predicting the outcome of tournament basketball games, are not specifically discussed in the gambling statute, [Gambling Commission spokeswoman Amy] Hunter said. And because they are not listed as legal, they are illegal, Hunter said.

If an NCAA pool is operated by a person or agency that holds a gambling license, that license-holder could be fined or have its license suspended. NCAA pool participants who are not gambling licensees could be subject to criminal charges, Hunter said.

Rest here. Reason on gambling here.

(Thanks to Bob Ewing for the tip.)