Q: I am hosting an open house for local real estate professionals to become acquainted with a new residential development and would like to have participants drop their business cards into a fishbowl and then randomly draw names from the bowl and award prizes. Is this permissible?
A: No. This activity would be considered a “game of chance” and would violate Chapter 849, Florida Statutes, which deals with gambling; however, prizes may be awarded based on the results of a “game of skill.”