Proposal Would Legalize NCAA Betting Pools

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ It may be one of the most routinely violated state laws, especially this time of year. <br/><br/>But a bill being drafted in the Wisconsin Legislature would remove any tinge of guilt,

Tuesday, March 13th 2007, 5:18 pm

By: News On 6

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ It may be one of the most routinely violated state laws, especially this time of year.

But a bill being drafted in the Wisconsin Legislature would remove any tinge of guilt, or illegality, for anyone who runs or participates in an office pool for the N-C-double-A basketball tournament and other sporting events.

Under current law, gambling is illegal except in state-sanctioned settings such as the lottery, tribal casinos and church bingo parlors.

The bill would legalize pools for such events as the basketball tournament and the Super Bowl.

It's being introduced by Democratic state Representative Josh Zepnick of Milwaukee and Senator Jeff Plale of South Milwaukee.

Even if the bill passes both the Senate and Assembly, and wins the approval of Governor Doyle, it won't get done in time to help those who want to organize a legal pool this year.