The United States and Federal Communications Commission v. Edge Broadcasting Company case in 1992 revolved around the issue of lottery advertising on radio stations. The Edge Broadcasting Company, also known as Power 94, was based in North Carolina but its signal reached Virginia where such advertisements were legal. The company argued that it should be allowed to air these ads since they were permitted in a state within their broadcasting range. However, the Supreme Court ruled against them stating that federal law prohibiting lottery advertising did not violate the First Amendment's freedom of speech clause even if some broadcasts could be received in states where such ads were legal. This decision upheld Congress' power to regulate commerce among states and reinforced its authority over broadcasting regulations.

In the dissenting opinion for United States and Federal Communications Commission v. Edge Broadcasting Company, Justice Stevens argued that the majority's decision was inconsistent with previous First Amendment rulings. He contended that the government had failed to provide a substantial reason for restricting lottery advertising in non-lottery states while allowing it in lottery states, especially considering that residents of non-lottery states could still participate in lotteries by crossing state lines. Furthermore, he criticized the Court's reliance on an "ancillary" interest argument to justify its ruling - arguing this approach allowed too much room for arbitrary decisions about what constitutes a valid governmental interest. Finally, he expressed concern over potential chilling effects on free speech due to broadcasters' fear of punishment if they inadvertently violate complex regulations.