No Inquiry Planned in Players’ Phone Game

A congressman who had raised questions about telephone call-in games does not plan to investigate Players International’s new game, Players said.

Executives of Agoura Hills-based Players made the announcement last week after meeting with Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and agreeing to cooperate in Gordon’s overall effort to eliminate abuses in the burgeoning 900-number telephone services industry. Gordon has questioned whether some of the games constitute gambling.

In June, Players announced plans for a 900 version of the “Jeopardy!” TV game show, and it is also planning a version of “Wheel of Fortune.”

After Gordon’s concerns were reported June 13, Players’ stock fell 30%, but the stock rebounded somewhat after Players said Gordon does not plan to investigate its show. The stock closed at $5.375 a share in over-the-counter trading Monday.

Players primarily operates a club that offers discounts to gamblers at casino resorts.