School group finds basketball wagering pool is illegal
Memphis vs. Tulane during an NCAA college basketball game in New Orleans on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. Credit: AP
It's a sure bet: Organizing a wagering pool for the March Madness basketball tournament is not the way to raise money for new school computers and electronic blackboards.
Parent volunteers at Port Washington's South Salem Elementary School have learned this the hard way.
After mailing out fliers earlier this month inviting local residents to bet $20 each on their favorite college basketball teams, the volunteer event organizers have been told by North Hempstead Town that they can't be granted a permit.
The reason: Sports betting pools are illegal, unlike fundraising raffles and other legal games of chance.
Residents are divided on the town's decision, nonetheless.
"As educators, we really can't say which laws we should follow and which we don't, just because we don't agree with it," said Jon Zimmerman, a parent and former school board member who objected publicly to the planned pool after receiving a flier.
Zimmerman, who teaches in another district, acknowledged he probably had wagered a few times privately himself. But he added such activities shouldn't be extended into schools, even if intended for a good cause.
Robert Seiden, a current school board member, said in a phone interview Wednesday that South Salem volunteers probably would organize some other type of fund-raiser, now that they've been told they can't get a permit for sports betting. Nonetheless, Seiden has scolded Zimmerman for raising the issue publicly.
Seiden's wife, Gail, is co-president of South Salem's Home School Association, the local equivalent of a PTA though not affiliated with that group. The HSA is the group that tried to organize the March Madness pool, a form of illegal betting common in offices and bars.
HSA officers contacted by Newsday deferred to senior leaders, who did not return calls. "I think it's a whole lot of to-do over nothing," Robert Seiden said. "It's just hardworking, innocent ladies trying to raise money for kids."
Still, authorities at the state's Racing and Wagering Board in Albany confirm that it's illegal to organize sports-betting pools, even if the would-be organizers are school volunteers.
One reason for the ban, state authorities say, is that sports events such as March Madness, which begins mid-March, are beyond the control of any local parent organization. In this way, sports contests differ from raffles or bingo games that can be conducted within the confines of a school or church. The state's PTA goes a step further, by not recommending any form of gambling - including raffles - to raise money for its services.
The wagering board encourages fundraising groups to check its Web site at www.racing.state.ny.us, and also with local municipal officials, to find out which activities are permitted. Joe Mahoney, a board spokesman, says it's rare for volunteer groups to try sports betting.
"But it happens," he added. "Some people bolt out of the gate without doing their homework first."
Under state law, decisions on which fundraising events can be granted permits are left largely in the hands of towns and other municipalities.
On Thursday, North Hempstead supervisor Jon Kaiman e-mailed Port Washington school officials and others, telling them that the law did not appear to allow sports pools, and that the town could not issue a permit. The next day, Port Washington's school superintendent, Geoffrey Gordon, recommended that HSA volunteers abide by the town's decision.
"We honor their volunteerism," Gordon said late Wednesday in a phone interview. "But sometimes, erring on the side of caution is the way to go."
Patchogue bar in hot water for taking bets on shootings in NYC, Chicago
The Cliffton in Patchogue is facing potential penalties for creating a betting pool allowing patrons to pick whether NYC or Chicago will have the most shootings over the Labor Day weekend. Credit: James Carbone
A Patchogue bar is facing harsh criticism from state and local leaders and potential loss of its liquor license after taking bets on whether New York City or Chicago will have the most shooting deaths over the Labor Day weekend.
The Super Bowl-style box was posted on Instagram last week by The Cliffton, a self-professed "dive bar" on East Main Street.
A Suffolk police spokeswoman said the department is also investigating.
Bar patrons could buy four boxes, each with a designated number corresponding with the predicted shooting-death totals. The winner would receive an undisclosed cash prize.
The caption of the Instagram post read: "Let the shooting sprees begin!"
Officials from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office, New York City and Patchogue quickly condemned the game and threatened legal action.
"These reports are repugnant and those responsible for this gambling pool should be ashamed," said Rich Azzopardi, a Cuomo spokesman.
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