Game shows ‘may be breaking law’

POPULAR television game shows could be forced off the air because regulators are considering whether they might constitute gambling, it has been reported.

The Gambling Commission is said to be looking at the Channel 4 series Deal or No Deal because the £250,000 jackpot game could be breaking the law as it does not require any element of skill. The show has been running since 2005 without previously being questioned.

ITV’s Red Or Black?, fronted by Ant and Dec, is also reported to be under investigation, though it is unclear if the programme will return to air after poor ratings last year.

It is against the law to run non-skill games without a gambling licence.

Channel 4 confirmed that the Gambling Commission had contacted them about Deal Or No Deal but would not comment further. The Gambling Commission was not available for comment last night.