NBC / Gambling Law Suit

[oldbookguy]

A most interesting case.

www.tmz.com is reporting four Georgia ladies are sueing NBC for engaging in illegal gambling over the TV show Deal or No Deal.

Hummmm, you pay .99 to play with a chance of winning 10K - 100k.

Gambling? Wire Act?

Story:
http://ww.tmz.com/2007/06/01/the-cas...-no-deal-case/

Comments / Thoughts?

obg

[Karak567]

This has already been discussed here and we came to the conclusion that it is legal because you can play for free online.

[EGO]

You don't have to pay anything. You can play for free on the internet. The .99 is a service charge that the cell companies apply for that particular text message. Whether or not DOND gets a kickback from that, I don't know.

It doesn't look like gambling to me, since there's an option to play for free. The act of placing a wager is fundamental to gambling, after all.

[WhiteWolf]

I'm not an expert in law, but that never stops anyone from posting opinions on the internet: So long as NBC provided a free alternative for entry, they should be in the clear. In this case, it seems they did (playing via their web site). It's similar to those contest tickets fast food places give out with each purchase: you can send in for free entries, and thus under the law it is not considered gambling or a lottery.

[Uglyowl]

Interesting thought (I still think the ladies are idiots), but I would be surprised if it got anywhere. All of these have a free option though and I always wondered if that was saying "Our game is free, but for the convenience of text" is cost money.

On another note, these ladies are idiots for paying, when a free option was available.

The first case (according to NYTimes) was thrown out and not heard in district court.

[Uglyowl]

[ QUOTE ]
It's similar to those contest tickets fast food places give out with each purchase: you can send in for free entries, and thus under the law it is not considered gambling or a lottery.

[/ QUOTE ]

FWIW, I don't think the ladies will win, but there is a distinct difference between this and a fast food "Monopoly piece", for example. When you buy a big mac w/ the piece attached, at least you purchased a Big Mac. Here the product is purely a chance to win with no other tangible product.

[MiltonFriedman]

That is what legal counsel tells me, HOWEVER, the contest sponsor is subject to regulation in almost every state. It is a minefield, but can be walked through.

For NBC to go the paid entry route is idiotic, the returns from a hit show aren't enough ?

Besides, do we need the FCC in the gaming regulation business.

I would give these claims about a 50% of getting some positive return.

[MiltonFriedman]

... did we ?

[oldbookguy]

It was thrown out of State Court (no jurisdiction), this is now a Federal Court Case.

obg

[dbirider16]

I don't understand this. How much money are they suing for? And why do they deserve money, and not anyone else?