The recent trend of development in the world markets has shown obvious signs that operators have been able to get around very restrictive gaming or gambling legislation by camouflaging the purported gaming or gambling as contests. Such contests are supposed to be decided by using specialized knowledge with special skill sets. Examples are radio, television stations, newspapers, magazines, and other media, including the use of a special telephone service that enables a stake to be debited from the participant's phone bill if they want to participate in a contest. The so-called contests, however, really are based on very easy questions, often followed by a lucky draw.

Very often legislation permits private clubs to organize games such as bingo, mahjong, and card games under certain circumstances. Restrictions apply, however, such as that only members may participate. In many cases, through clubs, these games have developed into commercial games open to the public, largely due to the difficulties in policing and controlling such activities at private clubs.