A lawmaker wants to legalize office pools in Wisconsin.
Current law prohibits betting on sporting events for money or something of value, but it's not enforced, so State Senator Jeff Plale ( pronounce ) (D-South Milwaukee) wants to make it official.
"I view it as just bringing law into sync with reality. The police don't have the time to go out and bust up $25, $50 pools, nor should they. The courts don't have the time to hear those cases, nor should they."
Plale emphasizes at a Capitol hearing that this bill is intended for the very small office pools, betting up to 50-bucks.
"Not the stuff that bookies may be running but that average folks standing around the water cooler, in the shop, at the office, where they all throw in a few bucks and participate in an office pool."
Plale says as it stands now, every spring during the NCAA Final Four, and every fall during the World Series a lot of very good citizens technically become criminals. His bill would not expand gambling; it would decriminalize office pools and its participants.
NOTE: The state Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill Tuesday. Only Senator Plale testified.
