March Madness is in full swing and the underdogs are preparing to become bracket-busters. But a different kind of bracket-buster may force people involved in tournament pools to tear up their brackets.

Sgt. James McDougle of the DeKalb Police Department said tournament pools are a form of gambling, which is illegal in Illinois without a license. McDougle said the pool’s size doesn’t matter; the law will still be enforced.

“The size of the pool doesn’t matter; gambling is gambling and it can’t be done,” McDougle said. “If we find out about them, then we do arrest those who are running the pool.”

McDougle said over the years, he has found gambling in general to be more common on college campuses.

What students think

Junior history major John Work said he believes people participate in pools because they simply like to gamble.

“I think for one, March Madness, is way more fun when you have a bracket,” Work said. “Other than that, I just think people like to gamble.”

Ryan Trine, junior journalism major, said it’s not so much the pools being illegal, but the risk of losing money that deters him from participating. Trine fills out the brackets on Facebook because there is no charge for them.

“I work too hard for my money,” Trine said.