Update: Oral Argument Takes Place in Georgia Deal or No Deal Qui Tam Lawsuit
Posted by: Andy Lustigman
February 27, 2008

Oral argument on a critical question in a federal class action filed in Georgia (Hardin et al. v. NBC Universal et al.) against Deal or No Deal was heard yesterday by the Georgia Supreme Court. In that case, the plaintiffs are seeking to get their money back not from the winner of the contest, but from the organizer NBC Universal and companies affiliated with the show The District Court certified two questions to the Georgia Supreme Court. First, does Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. s. 13-8-3(b)) authorize the filing and maintenance of a civil suit to recover money paid out or lost on account of one's participation in an illegal lottery? Second, if the answer is in the affirmative, may the plaintiffs recover from the lottery's promoter or organizer?

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