October 1, 2005
Easy quizzes, costly pastime
The new Gambling Commission has already expressed concern the use of premium phone lines to take part in TV, internet and mobile phone quizzes, reports the BBC, quizzes that are so easy to answer - they are closer to lotteries than any kind of real competiton. But unlike lotteries, a percentage of the proceeds do not go to charity.
Thousands of callers join in competitions every day. Phone-in quizzes on TV, websites and mobile phones are becoming more and more popular.
... George Kidd, the director of ICSTIS, which regulates premium phone lines, says one risk is compulsive use, with people racking up large bills for these services.
"A second risk, if they're not run responsibly, is people losing trust in the channel, in the satellite structure, and in the premium rate payment mechanisms."
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