| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Washington State Being Knocked for Gambling Ban
- Saturday, 1 Jul 2006
Widespread criticism is continuing to pour in on Washington State’s self-imposed law that makes online gambling a felony, as well as the advertising on online gambling facilities. There are also questions whether this ban is actually constitutional and whether charges of a felony would actually hold up in court. First Amendment experts said the definitions in the legislation are probably too broad, putting those who own or operate websites at risk of prosecution for posting links to online casinos or even writing about internet gambling.
Critics continued that the state needed strong legal backing in order to limit the freedom of expression on cyberspace. One lawyer specializing in this matter said it did not seem logical that posting a hyperlink about an online casino can constitute as aiding and abetting gambling. The rules are generally not applicable to placing links on a website, even if it does refer to ‘illegal’ online gambling.
Law enforcement agents tried to calm the critics by saying that they were not out to get the little guy who posted blogs or gambling tips about blackjack etc. The plan of the law was to stop people visiting offshore online gambling sites, because they were illegal and that is what needs to be stopped. The senator who sponsored the bill said that state officials were still fully in support of the bill and would continue to enforce it.
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