CA Repub wants to make Office Pools less illegal; Oh, Lake Elsinore!!!

Under Jeffries proposal, CA Govt won't throw you in jail for betting on the NCAA tournament but they can fine you $500 (down from $5,000.).

Politicians and moral fine tuning just don't mix.

For every Californian who has celebrated March Madness or a Super Bowl by popping a few bucks into an office betting pool, proposed new state legislation is designed to help you sleep easier.

Passage of the measure would remove the possibility of jail time for organizing or participating in nonprofit, all-in-fun office pools.

"Folks making a friendly wager with friends or co-workers should not have to worry about committing a crime," said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, who proposed the measure.

The Lake Elsinore Republican said his goal is to make the punishment fit the offense – not to legalize office betting.

In a state where residents can gamble daily on Indian casino games, Lotto and horse racing, Jeffries sees no reason to hammer them for friendly betting on major sporting events.

Under Assembly Bill 1852, violators would be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a $500 fine. Current law allows first offenders to be jailed for up to one year and fined $5,000.