WTF? Quebec non Elegible? - Guild Wars Forums

KoalaMeatPie · Feb 21, 2007, 08:01 PM // 20:01

So Why arn't Quebec Participants Allowed to Enter the Design a Weapon Contest? That really Blows. A lot. And it Angers me. A lot.

Is there ANY WAY to Go around this? Loop hole? For example, if I send the Letter From Ontario? Or I don't know, Rent an Appartment overthere for a Month.

Its just not Fare. Same with the States. But Still, I don't see any reason why Quebec paricipants arn't allowed. So please tell me Why.

Demilikos · Feb 21, 2007, 08:03 PM // 20:03

Seriously? That's odd.

KoalaMeatPie · Feb 21, 2007, 08:07 PM // 20:07

I know, Aperently It has to do With Something about Loto Quebec, But they regulate "le domaine des jeux de hasard et d'argent" - Gambling and Chance games.

Which this is not.

Hockster · Feb 21, 2007, 08:20 PM // 20:20

This is from a simple Google search. It's about a different contest, but explains why:

Quote:

When a contest is run in Quebec, it has to go through a separate body called the "Regis des Jeux et des Lotteries" before ANYTHING can be given away. This board is set up by the Quebec provincial government and imposes a tax on prize value. Anyone who runs a contest in Quebec has to give the Regis des Jeux et des Lotteries 10% of the prize value. Not only is this tax commission expensive, but also involves weeks of applications, justifications, and reports. Often, our sponsors can't wait 4-6 weeks to get approval from this body. So even though we would love to include contestants from Quebec, these restrictions present too many challenges.

*Darcy* · Feb 21, 2007, 10:06 PM // 22:06

Rhode Island has the same problem, so my guildmate can't enter either. Reason below from http://www.howstuffworks.com/question541.htm .

"Rhode Island is unique because the state law actually requires the company to file a legal statement before it can run a contest in that state. The statute, Section 11-50-1 of Rhode Island General Laws, reads:

"Any person, firm, or corporation proposing to engage in any game, contest, or other promotion or advertising scheme or plan in which a retail establishment offers the opportunity to receive gifts, prizes, or gratuities, as determined by chance, in order to promote its retail business, where the total announced value of the prizes offered to the general public is in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), must file a statement with the secretary of state."

The statute then details exactly what information must be included in the filed statement. In addition, the law requires the company pay a $150 filing fee. If a company runs a contest in Rhode Island, and fails to file a statement correctly, the company is actually guilty of a criminal misdemeanor!

For companies that want to run national contests, the filing fee alone means it's not really worthwhile to run the contest in Rhode Island, which has a fairly small population. When you add to that the hassle of researching Rhode Island law in order to file the statement correctly, very few national companies are going to bother. The term "retail establishment" is fairly vague, so it's not really clear if the law would apply to a non-retail Web site. It probably does, however, and for most sites, it's not worth the time to try to contact the state of Rhode Island secretary of state to find out."

Corran Horn · Feb 21, 2007, 10:27 PM // 22:27

It sounds like there's some legislators out there that need to be fired. How do people that live in these states/provinces allow these laws to be passed?

Alleji · Feb 21, 2007, 10:43 PM // 22:43

Force your french government to stop making silly french laws :P

Halmyr · Feb 21, 2007, 10:45 PM // 22:45

Well as a Canadian, I can say that this is not suprising for Quebc, they have always done thing diferently. But also note that Quebec has the Naponeonlic French law system, the rest of the Canada use's the english law.

Or something like that

KiyaKoreena · Feb 21, 2007, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Living in Quebec you should be used to it. Nearly every national contest by any company excludes residents of Quebec.

Hockster has it right, here's another quote for why not:
------
Quebec has specific laws regulating contests. Among other things, Quebec law requires registration of contests. Therefore, contests offered in Canada should be voided in Quebec, or compliant with the Quebec Act Respecting Lotteries, Publicity Contests and Amusement Machines, and its concomitant regulations called the Rules Respecting Publicity Contests. One requirement - for example - is, that all material related to the contest has to be presented in English and French.
-----

So why not? Because it is too much of a pain to jump the hoops to include Quebec.

PS. Fair, not fare. You are not paying for a bus ride. :-)

Thanato · Feb 21, 2007, 11:04 PM // 23:04

Yes, it does suck, as I'm from Quebec as well, but then again I don't bother with contests in the first place, even those in Quebec.

*goes off to eat a poutine*

Former Ruling · Feb 21, 2007, 11:15 PM // 23:15

This is why most contests and sweepstakes say "Void where prohibited or restricted".

99% of companies sponsering such things would rather just not let people from these places join in than jump through the government's Flaming Hoops and loss more money than they are already out too.

BenO_Under · Feb 21, 2007, 11:35 PM // 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoalaMeatPie

Is there ANY WAY to Go around this? Loop hole? For example, if I send the Letter From Ontario? Or I don't know, Rent an Appartment overthere for a Month.

Well the apartment wouldn't be in Quebec so I would say yes. Or you could mail it to a friend who isn't in Quebec and ask him to mail it from there...

KoalaMeatPie · Feb 22, 2007, 05:40 AM // 05:40

Hum, So "in theory" I could mail My Submissions in A prePaid envlope to My Friend in Cali, Where she sends the Envelope to A Net, With her return adress.

And if a I win everything will be mailed to her.
but Truth be told, I realy don't care much for the T-Shirt (Skill Pins? yeah for fun, I wouldn't wear them) Character Slot? yeah, Sure., Weapon in game - Oh YEAH baby!

Would this Work - Gaile?

dansamy · Feb 22, 2007, 02:13 PM // 14:13

edit: Never mind, I just re-read it. It seems you really are ineligible to enter at all.

Does the ineligibility of players from commonwealths include players from Kentucky? Since it is the Commonwealth of Kentucky?

Also, our boys in military bases around the world are ineligible. That really bites.

Feb 21, 2007, 08:01 PM // 20:01	#1
KoalaMeatPie Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cute And Fluffy in My Tummy Guild: Cult Classic [CC] Profession: R/	WTF? Quebec non Elegible? So Why arn't Quebec Participants Allowed to Enter the Design a Weapon Contest? That really Blows. A lot. And it Angers me. A lot. Is there ANY WAY to Go around this? Loop hole? For example, if I send the Letter From Ontario? Or I don't know, Rent an Appartment overthere for a Month. Its just not Fare. Same with the States. But Still, I don't see any reason why Quebec paricipants arn't allowed. So please tell me Why. Last edited by KoalaMeatPie; Feb 21, 2007 at 08:04 PM // 20:04..

Feb 22, 2007, 02:13 PM // 14:13	#14
dansamy Chasing Dragons Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lost in La-La Land Guild: LFGuild Profession: Mo/Me	edit: Never mind, I just re-read it. It seems you really are ineligible to enter at all. Does the ineligibility of players from commonwealths include players from Kentucky? Since it is the Commonwealth of Kentucky? Also, our boys in military bases around the world are ineligible. That really bites. __________________ Former Gladiator's Arena Moderator. Retired. Awaiting GW2.

Feb 21, 2007, 08:03 PM // 20:03	#2
Demilikos Academy Page Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philippines Guild: Maguuma Assassins [MagA]	Seriously? That's odd.

Feb 21, 2007, 08:07 PM // 20:07	#3
KoalaMeatPie Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cute And Fluffy in My Tummy Guild: Cult Classic [CC] Profession: R/	I know, Aperently It has to do With Something about Loto Quebec, But they regulate "le domaine des jeux de hasard et d'argent" - Gambling and Chance games. Which this is not.

Feb 21, 2007, 10:06 PM // 22:06	#5
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Rhode Island has the same problem, so my guildmate can't enter either. Reason below from http://www.howstuffworks.com/question541.htm . "Rhode Island is unique because the state law actually requires the company to file a legal statement before it can run a contest in that state. The statute, Section 11-50-1 of Rhode Island General Laws, reads: "Any person, firm, or corporation proposing to engage in any game, contest, or other promotion or advertising scheme or plan in which a retail establishment offers the opportunity to receive gifts, prizes, or gratuities, as determined by chance, in order to promote its retail business, where the total announced value of the prizes offered to the general public is in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), must file a statement with the secretary of state." The statute then details exactly what information must be included in the filed statement. In addition, the law requires the company pay a $150 filing fee. If a company runs a contest in Rhode Island, and fails to file a statement correctly, the company is actually guilty of a criminal misdemeanor! For companies that want to run national contests, the filing fee alone means it's not really worthwhile to run the contest in Rhode Island, which has a fairly small population. When you add to that the hassle of researching Rhode Island law in order to file the statement correctly, very few national companies are going to bother. The term "retail establishment" is fairly vague, so it's not really clear if the law would apply to a non-retail Web site. It probably does, however, and for most sites, it's not worth the time to try to contact the state of Rhode Island secretary of state to find out."

Feb 21, 2007, 10:27 PM // 22:27	#6
Corran Horn Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2006 Guild: Alliance of Xen Profession: R/Me	It sounds like there's some legislators out there that need to be fired. How do people that live in these states/provinces allow these laws to be passed?

Feb 21, 2007, 10:43 PM // 22:43	#7
Alleji Forge Runner Join Date: Jan 2006	Force your french government to stop making silly french laws :P

Feb 21, 2007, 10:45 PM // 22:45	#8
Halmyr Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada! eh! Guild: ~none~ Profession: W/Me	Well as a Canadian, I can say that this is not suprising for Quebc, they have always done thing diferently. But also note that Quebec has the Naponeonlic French law system, the rest of the Canada use's the english law. Or something like that

Feb 21, 2007, 10:55 PM // 22:55	#9
KiyaKoreena Desert Nomad Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Guild: Kirins of Holy Light Profession: N/	Living in Quebec you should be used to it. Nearly every national contest by any company excludes residents of Quebec. Hockster has it right, here's another quote for why not: ------ Quebec has specific laws regulating contests. Among other things, Quebec law requires registration of contests. Therefore, contests offered in Canada should be voided in Quebec, or compliant with the Quebec Act Respecting Lotteries, Publicity Contests and Amusement Machines, and its concomitant regulations called the Rules Respecting Publicity Contests. One requirement - for example - is, that all material related to the contest has to be presented in English and French. ----- So why not? Because it is too much of a pain to jump the hoops to include Quebec. PS. Fair, not fare. You are not paying for a bus ride. :-)

Feb 21, 2007, 11:04 PM // 23:04	#10
Thanato Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Quebec, Canada Guild: Followers of the Faith Profession: R/Me	Yes, it does suck, as I'm from Quebec as well, but then again I don't bother with contests in the first place, even those in Quebec. goes off to eat a poutine

Feb 21, 2007, 11:15 PM // 23:15	#11
Former Ruling Grotto Attendant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cedartown, Georgia Profession: R/	This is why most contests and sweepstakes say "Void where prohibited or restricted". 99% of companies sponsering such things would rather just not let people from these places join in than jump through the government's Flaming Hoops and loss more money than they are already out too.

Feb 22, 2007, 05:40 AM // 05:40	#13
KoalaMeatPie Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cute And Fluffy in My Tummy Guild: Cult Classic [CC] Profession: R/	Hum, So "in theory" I could mail My Submissions in A prePaid envlope to My Friend in Cali, Where she sends the Envelope to A Net, With her return adress. And if a I win everything will be mailed to her. but Truth be told, I realy don't care much for the T-Shirt (Skill Pins? yeah for fun, I wouldn't wear them) Character Slot? yeah, Sure., Weapon in game - Oh YEAH baby! Would this Work - Gaile?