See the results of Vault.com's office betting survey.

2. You In?
Have you ever participated in a betting
pool at your workplace?
No
―Super Bowl, football, march
30%
madness, fantasy leagues”
―I think they are unethical and in
Yes bad taste in any workplace setting.
70% They set a poor example and
interfere with work productivity.”
―When the Lottery reaches a
large amount we all have a
betting pool then split the
winning amount”
―I think it's a recreation activity that allows co-workers to engage in something together outside of the
main focus on workplace responsibilities – could possibly enhance rapport and workplace morale.”

3. Have you ever won?
Have you ever won an office pool?
Yes, 33%
No, 67%
―NCAA Final Four—$53,500. I got 535:1 odds on an
non-seeded team.”

4. What’s Your Poison?
March Madness and the Super Bowl top the list of most-bet-upon events.
Which types of office betting pools do you and/or your co-workers
engage in?
Reality shows/competitions 4%
NCAA basketball (regular season) 7%
Awards shows 8%
College football 12%
Co-worker's pregnancy 17%
Other 19%
Fantasy leagues 35%
NFL regular season 37%
Super Bowl 60%
March Madness 69%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

5. Waste of Time?
When participating in a pool, how much of your workday do you spend
discussing/researching/making your picks?
60%
52%
50%
40%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
4%
2% 1% 2%
0%
Less than 30 30 minutes - 1 1-2 hours 2-4 hours 4-6 hours More than 6 N/A - I don't
minutes hour hours participate in
office pools
―I think they're a positive thing for office morale but that people often spend a lot of time
that should be work time focused on them which hurts productivity. So, it's probably a
net-zero effect.”

6. So, Is It Okay?
More than three-quarters of
those surveyed said betting
pools are appropriate at
Do you think it is appropriate to have office betting
work.
pools?
―There is so little communal contact in No
our society after college graduation. 21%
Let people be a part of a group.”
Yes
79%
“I think that it is important that the
focus of the bets are never driven by
the money itself, because its
objective is to give a chance to build
good relationships.”

7. Office Policy: Yay or Nay?
Only 11% of those surveyed Does your company/firm have a policy regarding
said their offices have policies betting pools?
prohibiting workplace betting Yes, 11%
pools.
Nearly half (49%) weren’t sure
if it’s allowed, and 39%
reported no policies on betting Not sure, 49%
at all.
No, 39%
―No policy, as long as they don't get out of
hand and have a positive effect on morale.”
“Any gambling is not condoned by employer, but nothing is done “Highly frowned upon by
to discourage it. They pretend they don't see it and some high ups HR, ignored by everyone
participate.” else”

8. Cost of Admission
How much money does it usually cost to enter your office's betting
pools?
More than $250 3%
$101-$250 2%
$51-$100 4%
$26-$50 7%
$11-$25 19%
$10 or less 38%
Less than $5 17%
Other 10%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Nothing to lose? Most survey takers reported a $25-or-less
cost for participation in their office’s pools.

9. So, What’d You Win?
How much money does the winner usually receive?
$1,000 or more 7%
$751-$999 2%
$501-$750 7%
$301-$500 9%
$201-$300 15%
$101-$200 15%
$51-$100 22%
$50 or less 11%
Other 13%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

10. Why Risk It?
Most employees ante up for fun, not money.
What do you think are the primary drivers for employees to participate in
office betting pools?
90%
81%
80%
70%
60%
48% 47%
50%
40%
32%
30%
20%
10% 6%
0%
To have a little To win money To establish or To prove that they Other
harmless fun at work improve relationships have the
with co-workers skills/expertise to
pick a winner

11. So Is It a Good Thing?
Most workers feel that
office betting has a Overall, how do you view the impact of office betting
positive influence on pools on the environment at your office?*
their workplace.
Negative, 8%
Neither
positive nor
negative, 29%
―It's fun and fosters some
friendly competition. The Positive, 55%
monetary stakes are
generally pretty low so its
fun.”