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From: bruner@uicsrd.csrd.uiuc.edu (John Bruner)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Phone Calls and Stamps as Lottery Fees
Message-ID: <5424@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 20 Mar 90 15:08:51 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 189, Message 9 of 10

I've been wondering for some time about the 900 numbers which
advertise a "TV sports trivia game show" (and similar programs for
other subjects).  You can win $100 just by making a telephone call,
but of course, it's a 900 number and you're billed for the call.  Is
this really legal?  The ads I've heard have never mentioned a method
for "playing" the trivia game for free (or for the cost of a stamp).

What's the difference between this and, say, playing blackjack by
telephone?

--John