November 10, 2008

• I didn't think that sort of thing was legal. Of course, that assumption is based entirely upon the episode of I Love Lucy where the gals try to raffle off a TV so they can go to Europe with Ricky and Fred. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for my shift at the chocolate factory.
• I can't speak as to Michigan law, but here, you can't just set up your own lottery -- there are licencing requirements and such. I assume that since they've listed their lawyer on the website, that he's cleared it on that side of things.
• Rumor has it that the law office involved just found out that the raffle is illegal because they don't have a non-profit entity set up.
• The standard way around the lottery problem is to frame it as a "why I want the house" essay contest with a $100 entry fee.
• If you are required to pay an "entry fee", does the contest not then, in fact, become a lottery?
• If an event has the elements of prize, chance and consideration, it's illegal. Prize = obvious, chance means that it is not a game of skill, and consideration means that there is an entry fee. No can do in the US, unless allowed by specific law.
• There seems to be a lot of different opinions on the legality of Michigan house raffles (as if one can rely on Yahoo Answers for legal advice!) - - but Section 750.372 of the Michigan Penal Code seems to state that this is not legal. Go figs! Somewhat related old news: winners of $1 house raffles still waiting for homes Looks like a non-profit may have been involved in this case... but, one single dollar?
• Silly Michigan... let's try that again: Section 750.372 of the Michigan Penal Code
• You said "penal".
• Capt. Renault, what is it with you? Are you some kind of weirdo? Just because TUM said "chocolate factory" and SMT said "entry fee" you gotta get all hinky on us.
• smt: I'm not sure but I've seen a bunch of people trying it. Here in sf at least two people were selling their businesses (a cafe and a deli) that way a bunch of years back. There are a whole lot on google. This one didn't end happily apparently. And at the moment Joe isn't looking too good either.
• It's not any different than monopoly at mcdonalds. That's prize, chance, and consideration.
• Yes, but if you read the fine print, McDonald's will also issue game cards to people who buy nothing.
• Yes, but they give everyone the same losing game card. I've gone to the website for the "free game card", its BS.
• ok...as someone who lives in michigan, the answer is ...so, WTF...who cares.. you can't sell a house here, you can't raffle a house here, you can hardly give a house away here... and...waterford...sucks...nobody would want to live there...
• more..(after too much wine! :) ) I currently have an interest in two houses... I'm half owner of the house my ex lives in... I guess I'm about 50% upside down due to the devaluation of property here (that house also has lake access, large lot in the woods, etc. etc... then there is the house I live in, owned by my wife, also probably about 50% upside down on the mortage.. folks here are desperate... and many are just walking away from the property they "own"... sort of sucks.. ok...time to open another bottle of pinot...
• Hmmm, maybe we've found a location for our Monkey commune...
• TUM, I recommend you get dibs on a good spot in Ralph's backyard. Oh, Canada!!
• *stands up for Canadian national anthem, looks around, sits down sheepishly* I could just weep for the small folks who are losing their homes and livelihood. Meanwhile we give out the handouts to the f*ckin' banking thieves and lazy bastards at GM, etc.