You might think the last true pool hustlers died out with James Dean. But it’s still a very real, albeit declining, profession.

In most places, there is a law in place that prohibits gambling, whilst in extended instances, the law actually specifies that gambling over pool games is illegal. This is because gambling can easily be classified under fraud.

Yes, it’s illegal in any number of ways. It’s illegal gambling in Texas. Because squares pools involve randomly assigned numbers, the contest is entirely based on chance and thus illegal unless (in a state other than Texas) it falls within a state-specific “recreational gaming exception.”

Since Murphy, many states have legalized sports gambling in some capacity. Florida has not taken any legislative action, so, at least for now, the office pool remains illegal here in the Sunshine State. Employers also run the risk of civil liability arising out of a workplace sports pool.

Some states also limit the amount that a gambler can win or lose. However, in California, under California Penal Code Section 336.9, betting in an office football pool is an infraction punishable by a $250 fine. Small-scale football pools are rarely prosecuted even in states where they are technically illegal.

A pool hustler will deceive their inexperienced opponent in order to win your cash. Hustlers also engage in a term called, “Sharking”, where they distract, enrage and even threaten you to throw your game off. This is why the term hustler and pool shark go hand in hand.

Although the term bookie has been associated with illegal activity, with the expansion of sports betting, a bookmaker has become a legitimate occupation. However, bookmaking and placing bets through a bookmaker can still be illegal. The legality of different types of gambling is largely determined by state governments.

Hustling is an art form. It’s earning or making something from seemingly nothing by maintaining the mindset of a go-getter. While hustling gets a bad rap from the criminal acts it’s often associated with, it’s not a crime.

Although office pools can deliver a boost in team morale to the workplace, companies can have a number of legitimate concerns: Liability. In most states, office pools are considered illegal gambling. Therefore, allowing employees to participate could potentially subject the employer to legal action and serious penalties.

Office pools are legal in most states, though there are a number of exceptions, including Hawai’i, Florida and Illinois. There are three questions that you should ask before you set up a pool to determine whether the pool is legal.

PASPA prohibits sports gambling in every state except four: Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. This federal law does not create an exemption for NCAA office pools. In addition, many states have laws that prohibit gambling, with exceptions that may include casinos, state lotteries and horse racing.

Although the definition of “chance” varies by state, all 50 states recognize that any play-for-cash contest that is based entirely on chance is illegal. Because squares pools involve randomly assigned numbers, the contest is entirely based on chance and thus illegal unless it falls within a state-specific “recreational gaming exception.”