Lots of gambling like blackjack involve some skill. Arguably, even the slots involves skill, because you can chose which slot machines to use, and you can wait for the jackpot to go up, before you start gambling. Also, what about sports where a coin is flipped to determine which side goes first. If players have contracts that are dependent on performance, is that gambling? Gershon Bialer ----- Original Message ----- From: asimovd@aol.com To: math-fun@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 1:37 AM Subject: Re: [math-fun] An illegal California lottery game Thane writes: << I have an indistinct memory that the reason the challenge to this game was successful was that one's ability to calculate a 'better' play amongst possible presented options made the game into a "game of skill," and not a "lottery."

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I know there are many state laws against various games of chance where money is involved. But it seems so bizarre, if true, that a game involving some degree of skill with monetary prizes is illegal!!! Awards for skill are given All The Time in California as elsewhere. Can the skill factor *really* be why a court ruled this game illegal? (Undoubtedly, Nevada gambling casinos were behind the legal challenge. They are the ones most threatened by each additional California lottery game, and they have the deep pockets to challenge such.) --Dan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun