Why Quebec gets stiffed...

[lask]

Why is it that every time there is a sweepstakes or a contest of some sort, Quebec residents aren't allowed to enter?
Is it a language issue? Nobody wants to translate the rules into French? Tax issues? Does Loto-Quebec have some sort of monopoly in this domain?
I've always been a little miffed that I wasn't allowed to participate...

[kellibelli]

They are too good for the prizes?

(ducks and runs)

[Montfort]

Aren't there laws preventing games of chance? Quebeckers have to answer a complex question in addition to entering the contest so that it qualifies as a game of skill, instead of chance.

I don't know though, I'm just an American.

[ookpik]

I've often wondered about this myself. It could have something to do with the fact that a winner must answer "skill-testing" questions in order to claim a prize.

On the other hand, it might just be that conforming with Bill 101 and translating all the rules, associated documentation and producing tickets in French is just too much of a pain in the ass.

[AWB]

Originally posted by Montfort
Aren't there laws preventing games of chance? Quebeckers have to answer a complex question in addition to entering the contest so that it qualifies as a game of skill, instead of chance.

I don't know though, I'm just an American.

I don't think so. On my honeymoon in Montreal, I spent a night at a casino.

[Arnold Winkelried]

This is a WAG.

Could it be that, for the sweepstakes to be valid, the information (and contest rules) would have to be translated into french, and some companies don't want to bother?

[BobT]

I believe Montfort had the right answer. Quebec demands some sort of skill test. Some sweepstakes would get around this with questions like: "What is the capital of the United States?" or some easy math question.

I don't know if Quebec has cracked down on this or if the companies sponsoring the contests want to bother with this extra step.

[Arnold Winkelried]

Doesn't the skill test apply to all Canadian residents?

[Poysyn]

Sweepstakes in Canada always have to have a stupid skill-testing question. Dunno why.