[ByStarlight]

Hi, I'm from Washington state. My boyfriend and I are fans of a local sports team and we attend every game. There are several small little "contests" ran during the period of the game. Lucky program wins something, lucky seat whens something etc. Well one of the promotions is one where you sign up for a rewards card at the gas station and then you swipe the card periodically. During the game for every goal that is scored you win a certain amount of money (dependent on the how many goals there are) based upon your rewards card number. Well recently my boyfriend and I were at a game and we heard our number announced and shown over the screen, I went down to claim the prize and because the card was in my boyfriends name I had to get him. She confirmed that it was our card number and that we had won a considerable amount of money. She had a piece of paper with the selected winners from that night previously printed on it and she circled my boyfriends name and card number. She asked for our address and phone number and told us that some guy would be calling us and letting us know "when the checks are ready" I didn't find it odd then because several times during the season there were check presentations on the playing surface to groups of people who had won this partciular contest. That was 2 games prior to the ending of the regular season of play. They are no longer doing this promotion during the playoffs, and so that leaves us wondering if we are getting the shaft. Someone told me that it is illegal to hold a contest, announce a winner, and then not produce the prize. Is that true? Thanks

[excon]

Someone told me that it is illegal to hold a contest, announce a winner, and then not produce the prize. Is that true? Thanks

Hello Star:

Sure it's illegal.

If you didn't get your money yet, write them a letter. Send it certifed and send a copy to the sports team.

excon