Friday, March 29, 2024

Prosecution unlikely for those who gamble on NCAA Tournament via Internet

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Criminal justice sophomore Brad Collins said he enjoys betting on the NCAA Tournament because “it’s fun to be in a pool with a group of your buddies.”

But Collins, who said the pools he enters normally have small entrance fees, admitted there should be red flags waved when betting on college athletes goes too far.

“I see it being a problem because people are winning and losing money based on amateurs’ performances,” he said.

Collins and countless others will be involved this week in bracket pools for the upcoming men’s basketball NCAA Tournament.

While some pools may only be for fun, others may be for higher stakes and lead to severe consequences.

Computer science and engineering sophomore Ray Langevin said he was involved in a pool with dorm floormates last year, but only lost $5.

“I wasn’t expecting to win or anything, it was just something I did to have a good time and be part of it,” he said. “It gave me a reason to watch more than just MSU’s games.”

A major source of NCAA Tournament activity this week may not be the arenas where the games are played, but the Internet where the bets are made.

Gambling on the Internet - be it online casinos or NCAA office pools - is illegal in Michigan, but those placing bets on their home computers are unlikely to be prosecuted.

It’s been two years since Michigan made online gambling a two-year felony, but no one has yet been charged with the crime.

Mark Blumer, who works in the criminal division of the Attorney General’s Office, said enforcement is tough.

“It’s a very private type of crime,” he said. “One of the biggest problems we’re dealing with is the chaotic and boundary-less nature of the Internet.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Prosecution unlikely for those who gamble on NCAA Tournament via Internet” on social media.