The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is in progress, and close to 60 million workers across the country have joined office pools. As a result, Monmouth County employers may have concerns about the legality of March Madness office pools as well as their effect on office productivity.
State law largely governs unlicensed gambling, such as March madness office pools. New Jersey employers actually have less to worry about than employers in other states. While New Jersey’s state gambling statute prohibits unlicensed gambling, the law contains an exception that appears to apply to low-stakes gambling pools where the organizer (“house”) does not profit.
Therefore, under New Jersey law, a March madness office pool is generally legal under the following circumstances:
It does not involve a large amount of money;
The stakes are the same for all of the participants; and
The organizer does not take a cut.
Nonetheless, the prospect of any type of gambling during office hours may still concern some employers. If a company wants to prohibit office pools for business reasons, it should create a clear written policy. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, about 33 percent of companies have employment policies prohibiting workplace gambling, but very few (six percent) have actually disciplined or terminated an employee for violating the policy.
Do Office Pools Decrease Productivity?
The actual effect of office pools on employee productivity is always a hot topic this time of year. As predicted by Chicago-based consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, businesses could have suffered $1.8 billion in lost worker productivity in the first week alone.
To address productivity concerns, management should remind employees that their participation in an office pool is a non-work related activity; therefore, it should not interfere with their job performance.
Are Office Pools All Bad?
Surprisingly, many employers do not think so. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, 55 percent of employers believe that office pools may be good for morale.
You Just Received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena in New Jersey: Now What?
Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is not something most businesses or individuals anticipate. While it can be concerning, a federal grand jury subpoena does not necessarily mean that you are being accused of wrongdoing. It does, however, mean that a federal criminal investigation is underway and that federal prosecutors believe you may possess information […]
Why Every Business Should Conduct an Annual Insurance Coverage Review
Most New Jersey business owners purchase insurance policies, file them away, and assume they are protected if a claim arises. Without a regular insurance coverage review, many companies discover gaps only after a lawsuit, cyberattack, property loss, or other significant event occurs. An annual insurance coverage review can help businesses identify potential risks, ensure their […]
Demand Letters & Cease and Desist Letters: When to Send One (and When Not To)
Businesses and individuals often encounter situations where another party breaches a contract, fails to pay a debt, or continues harmful conduct. In many such disputes, a precisely drafted demand letter or cease-and-desist letter serves as a powerful legal tool. It can frequently resolve the dispute and avoid litigation. While demand or cease-and-desist letters can resolve […]
Key provisions in your contracts, including those relating to indemnification, insurance, and defense, are essential to contract risk management. While sometimes considered “boilerplate,” these provisions play a pivotal role when determining which party is responsible for certain costs and liabilities. They must always be negotiated and drafted carefully. Indemnification Clauses Businesses should never overlook the […]
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
