Unknown to the public, mystery guests were paid $500 (equal to $ in ) as an appearance fee, whether they won or lost the game. This was in addition to the maximum $50 (equal to $ in ) game winnings, which guests sometimes donated to charity. Guest panelists were paid $750 (equal to $ in ) as an appearance fee. The regular panelists were under contract and were paid "much more," according to Fates. Bennett Cerf explained that when he became a permanent member of the program, he was paid $300 (equal to $ in ) per week, and he told Robbin Hawkins in their interview that by the end of the series, the panelists were being paid "scandalous amounts of money."