The Case of the "Deal or No Deal" Case

Posted Jun 1st 2007 4:24PM by TMZ Staff

Four Georgia women are pissed that they had to pay 99 cents to play that "Deal or No Deal" Lucky Case Game -- and now they're charging in a federal suit against NBC that it's just a form of illegal gambling. Wanna bet they didn't win?

In the suit, which was filed yesterday, the women allege that the promotion -- in which viewers text numbers to pick what they think will be the winning briefcase -- constitutes illegal gambling, and is actually a lottery under California, Massachusetts, and New York state laws, because they had to pay a 99 cent "premium" fee to play. There's no charge to play via Internet. Prizes in the game range from $10,000 to $100,000.

The plaintiffs, who are seeking unspecified damages and are seeking class-action status, also names production company Endemol USA in the suit. Press reports suggest that Howie Mandel wasn't touched by the suit.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV

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1. You paid 99 cents... GET OVER IT

Posted at 6:34PM on Jun 1st 2007 by ...

2. I know they seen the text wrote all across the bottom of the screen there is a $.99 fee and they still voted thats them $.99 WOW thats a lot

Posted at 6:39PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Tracy

3. People will sue for anything nowadays!! Give me a break! 99cents????? What a joke!

Posted at 6:43PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Judy

4. The $.99 fee is probably a text fee charged by cellular phone companies for text messages, and not a fee to participate in the game. That's why it is free to play on the internet.

Posted at 6:51PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Debbie

5. Must be four blondes.

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Charley

6. What the WTF?!?!? I'm no lawyer, but if the Lucky Case Game is free to play on the NBC website, there shouldn't be a case at all. If there is a way to play for free, they should be doing it that way instead. That's how I do it. I ain't gonna spend almost $6 for a chance to win $10,000. I have better odds at getting a $2 lotto ticket and hitting the top prize. You four Georgia bitches need to get a life.

Posted at 7:34PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Donald

7. 99 cents is a lot of money to a 99 cent hooker.

Posted at 7:41PM on Jun 1st 2007 by 99 cent Hookers

8. hahahhahha,,,,,, who in their right mind would represent these crazy bitches. wtf

Posted at 7:45PM on Jun 1st 2007 by tnt

9. This is worse that the guy who sued for $0.75 for a supposedly flat beer on "People's Court" back in the 80's! Save the drama, ladies!

Posted at 7:56PM on Jun 1st 2007 by RP

10. They didn't HAVE to pay, no one had a gun to their heads it was their choice, if they didn't play they wouldn't be out .99. How foolish they sound!!!!

Posted at 8:11PM on Jun 1st 2007 by BJ

11. This is kind of ummm ..^%^ @$# STUPID!! Did NBC somehow, someway force these chics to play . . Maybe NBC sent out a signal for just them to vote . . and vote more than once. Unreal!!..There has to be some kinda law to prevent funding for B.S. cases as such.

Posted at 9:07PM on Jun 1st 2007 by tAz ratul

12. Wow, have these women never bought a lottery ticket, gone to a casino or maybe played bridge for money? I doubt it. I've called the number. Can I get in this lawsuit,LOL....

Posted at 9:54PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Suzyq cali

13. Howie mandel originally from hamilton Ontario Canada (no matter what his bio states) is a big mouth that has reached a measure (about one inch) an I have to wonder why.
Having met the jerk years ago I still recall the abrasive,smug,egotistical moron always looking in a mirror. (it isn't going to improve Howie)
His rabbi hated him - his community ignored him.
Why is he in TMZ?

Posted at 12:35AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by HaXoRs~

14. Talk about a frivolous lawsuit- no wonder insurance costs what it does!

Posted at 7:33AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by Adele

15. I laughed so hard after reading this, that I fell out of my chair. Don't they say that there will be a 99cent charge..HELLOO!!!! What a bunch of dummies!!!

Posted at 8:50AM on Jun 2nd 2007 by Sharon

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