March Madness office pools: Fun, fair and legal in Arizona

Marc Lamber

Photo courtesy of Lamber Goodnow

A March Madness pool can be a great way to bond with coworkers, but following Arizona’s social gambling laws ensures you don’t run into legal trouble. As long as the organizer doesn’t profit, all money is paid out and everyone plays fairly, your pool should be good to go.”

March Madness brings excitement to workplaces across Arizona as employees fill out their brackets and join office pools. These friendly competitions can boost morale, but it’s important to make sure your pool stays within Arizona’s gambling laws.

Most brackets are due before tip-off of the first men’s game on March 20 and March 21 for the first women’s game, so now is the time to set up your pool the right way.

Is your office pool legal?

Arizona law allows for social gambling under A.R.S. § 13-3301(7), but there are strict rules to follow:

• Everyone has an equal shot — no special advantages or weighted odds.
• All money must be paid out — every dollar collected has to go to the winners.
• No profit for the organizer — the person running the pool cannot take a cut or charge any administrative fee.
• Only participants win — no outside individuals or entities can benefit.

Signs your pool might be illegal

If any of the following apply, your pool may violate Arizona’s gambling laws:

• Underage participants — players must be at least 21 years old to legally take part.
• Organizer keeps a portion — whether for running the pool or any other reason, this is not allowed.
• Buy-in tied to a purchase — if participants must buy something (food, drinks, etc.), the pool crosses into illegal territory.
• Unfair odds — if some participants get better chances than others, the pool isn’t on equal footing.
• Entry fees required — even “suggested” or “voluntary” contributions could be problematic.

How to enjoy March Madness the right way

With sports betting now legal in Arizona, responsible participation is more important than ever. Follow these best practices to keep it fun and fair:

• Keep it about fun — office pools should be for entertainment, not profit.
• Understand the game — if you’re betting, make sure you know the terms and odds.
• Set spending limits — only wager what you’re comfortable losing.
• Stay sportsmanlike — win or lose, remember that March Madness is about enjoying the game.
• Use legal options — if placing bets outside an office pool, always choose state-licensed sportsbooks.

A March Madness pool can be a great way to bond with coworkers, but following Arizona’s social gambling laws ensures you don’t run into legal trouble. As long as the organizer doesn’t profit, all money is paid out and everyone plays fairly, your pool should be good to go.

So, get those brackets in before tip-off and enjoy the madness — legally! If you have any questions, the Arizona Department of Gaming regulates sports betting and gambling laws in the state. For official guidance or questions, visit their website at gaming.az.gov. 

Editor’s note: Marc Lamber is a director at the Am Law 200 firm Fennemore and chairs the Personal Injury Practice Group. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.