| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 2:33 pm |
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Local News 
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Legalize low-stakes sports betting, Edmonds lawmaker says OLYMPIA — It will be a crime if state Rep. Marko Liias writes Georgetown into a March Madness bracket for the college basketball tourney and the selection pays off with some prize money.Not for his choice of schools — it's his alma mater — but the act itself. In Washington, it is illegal to conduct or participate in bracket pools and fantasy sports leagues if any winnings are at stake. That law has never made sense to the Edmonds Democrat and former Mukilteo city councilman, and he wants it changed. He's introduced a bill legalizing bracket pools and fantasy leagues with a prize cap of $100. Those offering higher winnings would remain illegal. “I think that when our laws don't recognize reality, it makes our legal process a joke to the citizens,” he said. “The bill fixes this single little problem and sets some simple limits on it.” The proposal would expand an existing law allowing sports boards in which players pick squares on a board — as is happening a lot this week for the Super Bowl. The state Gambling Commission would be empowered to inspect the records of any bracket pool or fantasy league should a complaint or concern be made. This is not a new conversation in the Legislature. Revisions were discussed a few years ago and went nowhere, said Rick Day, executive director of the state gambling commission. What may seem minor can turn out to be a tripwire for conflict with federal gaming laws and tribal gaming compacts, he said. “It sounds like a simple change and from our perspective it would relieve us of a controversy,” he said. “We do normally struggle every spring because that (college tourney bracket pool) is an activity not authorized under the code.” Probably again in March as there's almost no chance of Liias' bill succeeding. Tuesday is the deadline for policy bills such as this one to be passed out of a legislative committee. As of today, House Bill 3134 has not been given a hearing. “We're just trying to let the little guy do the office pool and let people like me bet on Georgetown without fear of breaking the law,” Liias said. Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. House Bill 3134 regulating bracket pools and fantasy sport leagues can be read online at http://tinyurl.com/yj8m2n6 |
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COMMENTS
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Art makes a great point that we have more important things to work on, and we are! The first bill the House passed was the JOBS Act to create good family wage jobs while making our schools healthier and more efficient.
I am also working on a package of job creation bills, to give tax credits to small businesses and local manufacturers to create more jobs.
That being said, the Legislature can do more than one thing at once, and I think fixing this silly prohibition of office bracket pools is a good idea.
When the law doesn't recognize reality, it erodes public trust in what government is doing.
Plus, I think the Georgetown Hoyas have the potential to go all the way, and everyone deserves the chance to pick a winning team!
Marko Liias | Feb 1, 2010 11:52 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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I am so very thankful, that in the face of a State that is essentially bankrupt, Representative Liias deems it worthwhile to direct the attention of our State legislature to such an awesome problem. It is, no wonder, we're in the condition we are in. Perhaps Washington, Oregon, and California (amongst the most liberal States of the lower 48) can join forces and issue a "Tri-State I.O.U." (since they cannot print money) for services rendered. I would be all for issueing ALL of our government elites an "I.O.U." for services NOT rendered. Stop THEIR paychecks, let them feel a little pain and suffering, and see how fast things can change. Our elected officials , at ALL levels, be it city, county, state, or federal, are at the center of our money black hole.
a johnson | Feb 1, 2010 1:49 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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