Follow Kara Linkedin Twitter Facebook
Email Kara Email
Legal Issues
Mar 15, 2016

How To Gamble And Win With Workplace Games Of Chance

Sponsored Content provided by Kara Gansmann - Attorney, Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP

With March Madness upon us, employers are likely to encounter brackets and office betting pools. While office pools – like all unlicensed sports betting – are illegal, in the real world, businesses (and even some law firms) permit office pools for many reasons, including an attempt to increase workplace morale.
 
Despite the fact that the chance for criminal liability exists, we know these office pools will continue. Therefore, here’s how employers can double down to minimize their risks:

  • Do develop a policy in your employee handbook outlining your expectations and the consequences of violating the policy for office pools.
  • Don’t permit company computers or printers to facilitate office pools. Do require paper brackets instead of online brackets.
  • Don’t ignore an employee’s complaint that that office betting is against the employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs. Do listen to any employee who complains and take appropriate action to curtail the betting in the face of such a complaint. Otherwise, you risk the possibility that the employee will report the illegal operation to authorities.
  • Don’t post or publicize the results, standings or status of the pool, or permit your company’s common areas or e-mail system to be used for office betting.
  • Do encourage the use of any employee assistance programs or other resources to help employees with compulsive gambling problems.
  • Do avoid the appearance of “running” the pool. Ideally, supervisors and managers should be excluded from holding the pool’s funds, disbursing the funds, or resolving questions about the pool.
In the end, if you look the other way for the sake of workplace camaraderie, encourage employees to keep the stakes low. Or better yet, provide prizes and allow employees to play for free without buying in. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll minimize your liability for operating an illegal gambling operation – and you can bet on that.
 
Kara Gansmann, a North Carolina native, is an associate in Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP’s Wilmington office, where she focuses her litigation and appellate practice on various aspects of labor and employment law, business and contractual disputes, medical malpractice, and HOA matters. To contact Kara Gansmann, call (910) 777-6055 or email her at [email protected].
 

Other Posts from Kara Gansmann

Wbj insights revised 0510 121615113531
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

Duke Energy Will Pay You Up to $9,000 to Go Solar with a Battery

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems
Jessiepowellheadshot webversion

5 Reasons to Build Custom Franchise Software

Jessie Powell - Wide Open Tech
Jasonpathfinder3

How Much Should I Plan to Take From My Portfolio in Retirement? Understanding Safe Withdrawal Rate

Jason Wheeler - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

Trending News

Local Medical School Campus Set To Welcome Largest Ever Doctors-in-training Group

Cece Nunn - Feb 17, 2025

In The Current Issue

Soundoff: Chamber Plays A Pivotal Role In Health Care Workforce Effort

"The decision to engage with partners in the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership is not only an opportunity but also a strategic imper...


Schools Aim To Grow Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been gaining traction at local community colleges....


Locals Team Up To Offer Unique Treats

Local shops, from ice cream shops to distilleries, are teaming up to collaborate on flavors for seasonal menus and treats....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season