Big Brother in Washington is doing everything it can to stifle the gaming industry’s attempts to grow the business. Traditionally, since the offshore sports betting industry began its drive toward mainstream respectability back in the mid ‘90s, the Department of Justice has tried numerous ploys to erase this commendable effort of free enterprise.
Most recently, in 2003 the DOJ initiated an effort to sharply curtail advertising by online gaming companies to customers in the U.S. In its usual heavy-handed approach, the agency targeted various media outlets with an official letter, informing them that it considered interactive gaming to be an illegal activity.
The DOJ reinforced its intimidation by suggesting that accepting advertising for such services is the equivalent to aiding and abetting illegal activity. Shortly thereafter, subpoenas were issued to media companies that had done business with offshore gaming operations.
The cumulative impact of this campaign by the DOJ is known to have had a chilling effect on companies so contacted. It truly violates the spirit of free enterprise, freedom of speech and is a wrong-headed attack on legitimate entrepreneurs.
While many of the big media companies succumbed to the dubious tactics of the DOJ, many smaller entities continued business as usual. But there is no question that the burgeoning online gaming industry took a hit.
Finally, a relatively small but feisty organization, Casino City, a Louisiana-based company that services the public via an Internet portal and several publishing ventures, stepped up and challenged the mighty DOJ.
At this point a little disclosure is in order. We should note that we have availed ourselves of Casino City resources. It broadcast a handicapping show we originated over its Internet facilities for several years, and also archived our radio show on the Internet. The relationship was mutually beneficial and they are fine people with whom to do business.
Now, in a David-and-Goliath scenario, Casino City is trying to reestablish freedom of speech as envisioned under the Constitution. Casino City has cut to the chase and challenged the DOJ’s tactics as being inconsistent with the U.S. Freedom of Speech Amendment.
According to legal sources, the outcome of this case will have landmark implications on the extent to which the government may control the way online advertisers can promote their services.
Ideally, the judicial process in which this case is tried will be notable for achieving a fair, credible decision, applicable to the best interests of all Americans. Let us hope it is not tainted with the stench of agenda-driven fundamentalists who represent the religious radical right.
The relentless growth and inspiring success of offshore/online gaming is a glowing testament to the concept of free will: “If you build it, they will come.” If there is one group the U.S. government should be wary of, it is sports bettors, whose attitude harkens back to the Revolutionary War warning, “Don’t tread on me!”
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