Court says 'No Deal' to gambling claim

Atlanta -- The Georgia Supreme Court Monday gutted a federal class-action lawsuit claiming NBC's "Deal or No Deal" constituted illegal gambling.

The decision was unanimous upholding the legality of the popular TV show's "Lucky Case Game," in which home viewers were invited to pick a lucky briefcase via 99-cent text messages for a chance to win $10,000, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Michael and Michele Hardin sued in federal court in Atlanta last year under an old Georgia law that calls for reimbursements for losers involved in illegal gambling.

The couple claimed the "Lucky Case Game" was an illegal lottery and sought 99-cent refunds for all U.S. "Deal or No Deal" viewers who entered the contest.

The high court's decision in effect guts the class-action suit still pending in Atlanta, the newspaper said.

Senior U.S. District Judge William O'Kelley had sought the Supreme Court opinion after NBC asked that the lawsuit be dismissed.

The Peacock Network stopped "The Lucky Case" game after the federal lawsuit was filed.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.