Staff Report
A betting pool for March Madness advertised on campus led to the seizure of a student employee's computer, cell phone and records relating to the pool on Tuesday.
The New Mexico Gaming Control Board came to campus to investigate after it received an anonymous tip from someone wondering how legal the pool was, said Greg Saunders, acting executive director of the board.
"We had no idea the extent of what was going on," he said. "It was offering $5 per play using March Madness as a gambling devise."
He said the pool was advertised on a flier that was distributed on campus.
Saunders said they collected three fliers when they came to campus.
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The UNM Police Department was consulted in the raid and was there for backup.
The male student employee who organized the pool could face a fourth-degree felony charge, Saunders said.
Eighteen people were signed up for the pool.
Saunders said all they have are the first names and e-mails of participants, but they are also under investigation.
No one has been arrested or charged in the matter, he said.
Once the board does its investigation, the information will be turned over to the District Attorney's office.
Saunders said gaming pools for sports events like March Madness are prevalent.
"But it's not legal," he said. "If we become aware of it, we have no choice but to act."
He said the media has been scrutinizing the board for this incident, but they are using it as an example.
"The media has been taxing us pretty hard," he said. "But we want to get this out as a public service announcement. This is not a legal activity."
The board was created in 1998 to regulate gambling activities in the state.
