Telephone-based videotex systems are slowly changing from systems based on numeric, menu-type access methods that permit only information retrieval and limited message sending to more sophisticated, multiuser, interactive, transactional systems. This is partly due to the concept of adding external computers to the videotex network and partly due to the emergence of more intelligent terminals. 

In this paper, some major application areas that have been made possible by these developments, but have not yet received the attention they merit, are discussed in some detail: teleplaying, telegambling, telesoftware, telecomputing, and public-key cryptosystems. 

We maintain, and try to demonstrate, that these areas will significantly influence the market penetration and social impact of videotex. A number of the applications discussed will be available in Austria's videotex trial by September 82, making Austria the first country to offer such services on a nationwide videotex system.