Some time ago, the Gambling Commission launched an investigation into Simon Cowell’s ITV game show, Red or Black? claiming that the show encouraged gambling as it required no “special skill” to win.

And today, according to What’s On TV, Deal or No Deal is now looking at the business end of a similar probe, as the Gambling Commission wants to establish what “constitutes gambling” in a TV show setting.

The reason for the probe is that it’s been suggested that the Channel 4 show – which is hosted by Noel Edmonds – could be breaking the law because games that involve no skill require a gambling licence, and one assumes therefore that Deal or No Deal doesn’t have one.

A representative of the Commission has said the body will “publish advice” next month for broadcasters and producers on the rules regarding gambling on television…

John Travers, a spokesman for the Commission said, “The advice will make clearer what activity constitutes gambling.”

Channel 4 reps confirmed that they’d been contacted by the Commission about Deal or No Deal, and added it would be meeting with the regulators “within due course.”

Personally, I think this is a) a ludicrous waste of time and money, and b) a display of pedantic nonsense at its finest.

What say you?