This is an interesting topic, and the legality/illegality of the promotion
relies on a number of gaming statutes, particularly
14.040 Minimum standards for gaming devices.
which states:
4. All possible game outcomes must be available upon the initiation of
each play of a game upon which a player commits a wager on a gaming device.
5. For gaming devices that are representative of live gambling games, the
mathematical probability of a symbol or other element appearing in a game
outcome must be equal to the mathematical probability of that symbol or
element occurring in the live gambling game.
If the promotion qualifies as a 'gaming device', then item 4 has some
bearing on what they can and can't do. For item 5, the additional question
is, does the promotion qualify as representing a live gambling game.
It doesn't represent any known game, but if it is representing 'choose one
of six outcomes and we'll show you what's under the box', we all know how
that would work in the real world.
You'd get the top prize on average one out of six times.
But bottom line, I don't think this promotion qualifies as a 'gaming
device' under the statutes, since there is no wager being made, and it's
not for the purpose of gambling.
FWIW I'm in agreement that such promotional machines should have to be
fair. If there are six boxes shown, you should have a one in six chance of
getting a particular offered prize.
ยทยทยท
--
Royal Flusher World www.royalflusherworld.com * Las Vegas the Royal Flusher
Way www.royalflushervegas.com
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