Is this pool legal?

[Jon]

In the section pertaining to illegal gambling and betting (sec. 201 & 202) the criminal code of Canada has a section (sec. 204) for exemptions that states the following:

Sections 201 and 202 do not apply to a private bet between individuals not engaged in any way in the business of betting

This pool is in no way "in the business of betting". Meaning no one is profiting from this, as all money is paid out.
So don't worry, the RCMP will not be banging down my door nor yours!

[Jon]

One more thing from the CCOC

For greater certainty, a person may, in accordance with the regulations, do anything described in section 201 or 202, if the person does it for the purposes of legal pari-mutuel betting.

[Jon]

Okay, given the recent bust by the Winnipeg Police of an illegal sports pool I'm sure people will soon be questioning this pool again.

Let me once again assure you that this pool is perfectly legal. The reason this pool is legal is because ALL MONEY IS PAID OUT. That is, there is no profit being made by anyone. I do not get paid anything to look after this pool I simply do it for the love of the sport! If anyone wants to check for themselves that all money is being paid out you can do the math yourself.

For example take any week and count the number of player that played that week. Now times that number by the $5 that each contributed. Then take that total and minus $15 (ie the $10 that will be paid to the 1st place seasonal winner and the $5 that will be paid to the 2nd place seasonal winner at the end of the season) and you will have the total that is paid out to the winner of that week. The formula looks like this:

Number of players x $5 - $15 = Payout to weekly winner

Number of weeks in season x $10 = Payout to 1st place seasonal winner

Number of weeks in season x $5 = Payout to 2nd place seasonal winner

I keep a running total of the seasonal pots on the hockey main page so it is completely transparent at all times as to where all the money has gone.

Work place pools such as this one are common place throughout our country and everyone should feel good about exercising their freedom to participate in them. They are good for work morale and should not be tarnished by those running illegal betting pools.

[Jamie]

I haven't been paid anything so all money has not been paid out!