Bret addressed this yesterday in the Letters to the Editor………..
Editor – Different states and provinces have laws and rules for prizes, lotteries contests and the like. In this particular instance the clearest route for us was to void this particular promotion in Vermont and a few other places. As time goes by rules do change, and often get more relaxed. If this type of event is legally possible where you live, rest assured that we will do our best to bring it to you in the future. Your local lawmakers are the ones who decide these rules, so if you are concerned about these kinds of rules in your state, you should write your state’s legislature.
I read Bret’s response! My ? is It’s just gems it’s not money so it’s not gambling. How is it gambling?? I’m playing a game for the highest score.
So realistically my? is not answered, Anyone else have any thoughts??
Since Gems have monetary value (you spend money to get them and if you read the Official Rules for the Tourney, they are given a monetary value in the prize specs), in some jurisdictions they are considered to be “money”, which can violate gambling laws or ordinances in some areas. I know it seems unfair, but what Bret said is correct… it is up to your legislature to change the laws and rules regarding how this works. Pogo can’t do that, and they have to err on the side of caution in cases like this. In the state I live in, I can go to a casino in this state and play blackjack for monetary value prizes. But I f I go to a bar with a video blackjack or poke machine, who does not have a gambling licence, and they pay out cash or prizes for wins, it’s breaking the law,. I f I play blackjack or poker in a back room at a hotel or establishment and the play is for cash or prizes with cash value, again, it is breaking out state laws. Pogo isn’t picking on any state or province or country in excluding anyone from the prizes. They are simply following the laws for that state, province or country and keeping their behind out of serious legal trouble.
Sorry nanapuck, but Suz & Janice are right :
Gems are considered a Cash Value Prize on a Game Site and the Laws in *Some* States Consider that under Their Gambling Rule Policy (Playing a Game of Chance for a Prize with Value/GEMS DO have a $ Value, they are *Purchased* with Money and Pogo is putting it up as a Prize)
lol: If my State had Rules like that I’d go to my Regional Assemblymen’s Office and Insist they bring it up to Every Delegate in Every Capacity Possible (!) as an Exception and Re-Establish the State’s Gaming Rules …… AND I’d be a *Problem Child* about it, going to their Office at least once a week LOL
I’m not a Professional in any way, but I know that much…… So if you want a State Delegate to explain it to you , I’m sure you can find your Regional Office (every City has one) If enough People bombard a Politician with an Issue it help’s (may not Pass, but it’s a shot for a State that has an unreasonable $Value included in a Law, you never know if it will be lowered allowing under certain $Value Amounts. ie: less than $50)
No need to argue about it, some States have *Dumb* Laws LOL
Good Luck
Living in Scotland we also do not qualify for playing games for Gems etc.
It would be good if there where a way around this.
Is it not possible for Pogo games to say that this is a membership comp that way
In a sense it is a private comp therefore it should be allowed to pay out when it wants?
Bret addressed this yesterday in the Letters to the Editor………..
Editor – Different states and provinces have laws and rules for prizes, lotteries contests and the like. In this particular instance the clearest route for us was to void this particular promotion in Vermont and a few other places. As time goes by rules do change, and often get more relaxed. If this type of event is legally possible where you live, rest assured that we will do our best to bring it to you in the future. Your local lawmakers are the ones who decide these rules, so if you are concerned about these kinds of rules in your state, you should write your state’s legislature.
I read Bret’s response! My ? is It’s just gems it’s not money so it’s not gambling. How is it gambling?? I’m playing a game for the highest score.
So realistically my? is not answered, Anyone else have any thoughts??
Since Gems have monetary value (you spend money to get them and if you read the Official Rules for the Tourney, they are given a monetary value in the prize specs), in some jurisdictions they are considered to be “money”, which can violate gambling laws or ordinances in some areas. I know it seems unfair, but what Bret said is correct… it is up to your legislature to change the laws and rules regarding how this works. Pogo can’t do that, and they have to err on the side of caution in cases like this. In the state I live in, I can go to a casino in this state and play blackjack for monetary value prizes. But I f I go to a bar with a video blackjack or poke machine, who does not have a gambling licence, and they pay out cash or prizes for wins, it’s breaking the law,. I f I play blackjack or poker in a back room at a hotel or establishment and the play is for cash or prizes with cash value, again, it is breaking out state laws. Pogo isn’t picking on any state or province or country in excluding anyone from the prizes. They are simply following the laws for that state, province or country and keeping their behind out of serious legal trouble.
Sorry nanapuck, but Suz & Janice are right :
Gems are considered a Cash Value Prize on a Game Site and the Laws in *Some* States Consider that under Their Gambling Rule Policy (Playing a Game of Chance for a Prize with Value/GEMS DO have a $ Value, they are *Purchased* with Money and Pogo is putting it up as a Prize)
lol: If my State had Rules like that I’d go to my Regional Assemblymen’s Office and Insist they bring it up to Every Delegate in Every Capacity Possible (!) as an Exception and Re-Establish the State’s Gaming Rules …… AND I’d be a *Problem Child* about it, going to their Office at least once a week LOL
I’m not a Professional in any way, but I know that much…… So if you want a State Delegate to explain it to you , I’m sure you can find your Regional Office (every City has one) If enough People bombard a Politician with an Issue it help’s (may not Pass, but it’s a shot for a State that has an unreasonable $Value included in a Law, you never know if it will be lowered allowing under certain $Value Amounts. ie: less than $50)
No need to argue about it, some States have *Dumb* Laws LOL
Good Luck
Sorry you didn’t care for my answer nanapunk, but that is what Pogo is saying, so nothing anyone else says matters.
It’s Pogo’s site, their contest, their rules. If you don’t agree, then you need to take it up with Pogo.
There is nothing that anyone on BH can do to change anything on Pogo!
Living in Scotland we also do not qualify for playing games for Gems etc.
It would be good if there where a way around this.
Is it not possible for Pogo games to say that this is a membership comp that way
In a sense it is a private comp therefore it should be allowed to pay out when it wants?
No, it’s not a private company. It’s (EA) a publically held company.
Thank you Moms, it is so complicated but i am sure if they could include everyone they would.
Jinty55
I agree jinty.