Illegal house lottery - prize draw halted by the gambling commission

KennyVader

So did anyone enter the Devon Property lottery? It's looking like they're going to have to refund everyone - which could be a somewhat expensive exercise given the admin overhead that will be caused by the amount of time that's passed.

Plasticman

Haven't seen anything about this for a while, but having checked the organisers blog the following statement says it all:

We have now received a response from the Gambling Commission, however it is still throwing up inconsistencies with advice that they have given to the public and to us on previous occasions.

In other words, the gambling commission said that it is, indeed, an illegal lottery! I wonder if the punters will get their £25 back, and how much it will cost the organisers to sort it out :eek:

mystic_trev

The Gambling commission can't give advice, that has to be sought from a Solicitor.

mystic_trev

As Plasticman says it looks like they've lost. If that is so http://www.winthecheltenhamhouse.com/ will go the same way.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Further to the GC response .....

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry we've been pretty vague about the response from the GC, but whilst we are still seeking legal advice, it's only appropriate that we don't publicise any official correspondence at this time.

Today we have been speaking to a colleague of Steve's with more specific knowledge of Gaming. He is having a meeting with his superior on Wednesday, and has pencilled in a meeting with us for Monday/Tuesday next week.

We have also written to Peter Mandelson tonight, at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regualtory Reform, urging him to intervene on our behalf.

We promise that we will not prolong this process any longer than necessary, none of us want that, but neither do we want to throw in the towel and then someone say; "Oh if only you'd waited a little longer, or tried this, or asked that"....

We know that you'd all love to help us in whatever way you can, and if there is anything you can do we will let you know.
We appreciate all the efforts you have made thus far.

Brian Wendy and Louisa

brightonman123

about time people who entered contacted their bank/credit vard co's, to request refunds.. a nice bit of interest is being earnt on this, i bet!

Lentilsforteaagain

We bought 2 tickets so currently have £50 tied up in it. We have been very, very patient so far but I must admit, the patience is beginning to wear out slightly now.

Saturday, January 31, 2009
Latest Update

Hi Everyone
Just a quick update to let you know that we have now received the advice we sought from the Barrister.

....

This came in the form of a large document with her interpretation and analysis of how we have acted within the Gambling Commission’s guidelines for ‘Competitions and Prize Draws’.

The report concludes, that in the Barrister’s opinion, we have acted within the law, and our competition is legal.

Included is a request to the Gambling Commission to reconsider their original opinion of the status of our Competition.

....

The report was forwarded to the Gambling Commission on Friday, with a request for an urgent response.

....

We are almost certain that at some point next week, our competition will reach a conclusion.

....

Thank you for your continued support and patience.

....

The Wilshaw Family

Let's hope it does reach a good conclusion and someone does win the house ... either that, or just the money back would be very welcome!

KennyVader

How is your money "tied up in it" and how can your patience be wearing out, at the time it is taking?

Surely it is money that you knew you would almost certainly completely lose at the time of buying the tickets? So I don't understand why you would be bothered by the fact that the draw hasn't taken place yet, given that it was money you were prepared to give away and do without anyway.

Lotus-eater

I wouldn't mind winning a carp fishery <sigh> I'd never be on here again.

Who said good?




I'm not stupid enough to buy a ticket though, or I'm practical enough to know I would be throwing money in the toilet.

Snooze

KennyVader wrote: »

How is your money "tied up in it" and how can your patience be wearing out, at the time it is taking?

Surely it is money that you knew you would almost certainly completely lose at the time of buying the tickets? So I don't understand why you would be bothered by the fact that the draw hasn't taken place yet, given that it was money you were prepared to give away and do without anyway.

Quite. Your post, lentilsforteagain, was written in the way that you seemed to think you would automatically win it, even though you only had a 1:23000 chance of doing so. Crazy :rolleyes: .

Rob

geoffky

why are these people scared to find a market price for their houses? is it because they are worth nowhere near what they have said...i think so