SANFORD, N.C. — March Madness boils down to brackets and the art of bracketology. The popular sport of the "office pool" is an annual part of the game, but if you pay to play, you can bet that it is illegal.

"It's gambling," Lee County Assistant District Attorney Ed Page said. "Depending on your record, it's punishable by up to 60 days in jail."

In Sanford, there is an office pool alternative. It is a game of chance that you can find in the town newspaper.

"We checked with legal counsel at the N.C. Press Association," said Doug Rowe, of the

Sanford Herald

. "They gave us the ins and the outs just to make sure that it was legal, and we could go ahead and participate."

The newspaper, along with others nationwide, are competing in the contest. The local winner receives $500 and the overall winner gets $2,500.