Would you consider this legal?

[tcb1969a]

I was browsing on the net and came across this interesting little contest. Now, I am curious, if this is legal. Basically there is this contest where you write a essay and you could win a home or business in Alaska. The entry fee is $100. Now seeing how there is a entry fee, and I haven't seen where you could enter without the fee, would that be considered an illegal lottery since there is no free entry that I can tell....Call me curious....

Here is the web page if you want to check it out....

http://www.wasillacontest.com/

[spectre]

Doesn't look like a lottery to me. It's an essay contest with an entry fee. There's not much random about it since a panel of judges chooses the best essay.

If that gets ruled as being a lottery, then you folks better start going after every contest with an entry fee (photo competitions, etc.).

I'm sure somebody will claim its a scam since the guy reserves the right to take less than 2500 entries and keep $10 from each before he refunds your money at the end of the contest. I see that 2500 minimum as being his "Reserve" so he makes sure he isn't taking too low a price for his home and business.