They promise to win trips, cars, sometimes even big sums of money. But behind these free games, no one participates without paying.
With each participation, there is a small cost. It’s never huge. One euro here, an SMS surcharged there, a call billed a few dozen cents. Given like that, it seems trivial. And precisely, this is what makes the system so effective. The amounts are weak, almost invisible on an invoice, and give the illusion that it is only a little effort to try its luck.
However, the law has been clear for almost two centuries. In France, as soon as a game is open to the public, that it is based on chance and that it promises a gain against a financial participation, it enters the category of lotteries … Prohibited since 1836. If these three criteria are united, it is illegal. It is not a gray area or a legal vagueness, but a basic principle of French law.
So why do we still see these games flowering every day? Because they skillfully get around the rule. In theory, they are not paying. The cost of a call, SMS or online connection may exist, but it must be reimbursed if the participant in fact requests. It is this possibility of reimbursement that changes everything. She makes the game legal. Without her, he would fall under the prohibition. This reimbursement, however, remains widely ignored. Not that it is hidden, because it is indeed mentioned in the general conditions or displayed on the screen in very small. But in fact, very few participants know that they can recover what they have paid. And even when they know it, they don’t. By lazy, by oblivion or because the sum seems derisory. These games are the television games. Those who, every day, invite you to answer a question by calling a number or by sending an SMS to try to earn a large sum of money.
So, if you participate in these television games, take some precautions. Above all, carefully choose the emissions in which you participate: the less the audience is important, the more your chances are increasing. Note scrupulously each game so as not to forget anything and multiply your chances by playing with several numbers. And above all, if you do not want to waste your money, take the time to request the reimbursement of your participations. It costs nothing, except a little patience.
But out of laziness or lack of information, the majority of people do not. And it is on this inaction that the whole economic model rests. Hundreds of thousands of participations are recorded each week. Millions over the year. And so many small sums cashed, without return.
