(WWJ) - Brackets spring up everywhere ahead of the start of March Madness, but is online betting taking a chunk out of the bracket pool?
Billions of dollars will be wagered on the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament this month. And with legal sports gambling in Michigan, the money will be flowing. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark wonders how gambling has impacted a national pastime: Office bracket pools.
Many companies host bracket pools for their employees, despite people being less focused on work while they prep their brackets and keep tabs on who is winning.
WWJ's Murray Feldman said some companies think this is a great way to get employees back in the office.
"Some HR people have actually suggested that companies step it up this year and do more encouraging of employees to get involved," Feldman said. "They say that's one way you might actually bring remote workers back to the office."
Having people work on projects focusing on March Madness can be a way to get teams back together in the office and talking face to face again, Feldman said.
What happens to those people who end up with busted brackets, though?
97.1 The Ticket's Jim Costa said that picking the wrong team on your bracket can bring a sudden halt to the fun.
"You're done," Costa said. "The bracket's over. All the excitement's gone. Whereas if you just pop up the little app on your phone, whatever one you use, bet the next game."
The winner of the pool can also face a challenge.
The IRS is owed some of the money from the office bracket pool, Feldman said.
Coworkers can also end up at odds with each other if the person collecting the money charges a fee on top.
Regardless of what happens with your bracket or online bets, at the end of the day, they should be a fun way to stay engaged with an exciting tournament.
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