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Minnesota tells ISPs to block gambling sites
The idea is that gambling is illegal in Minnesota, and the state's Department of Public Safety is taking the position that internet gambling sites shouldn't be exempt from that law -- and that the ISPs must block access to those service.
It's likely that the move will be challenged on First Amendment grounds. What do you think? Is this a free speech issue, or an example of companies using the internet to circumvent local laws?
Comments
15
Subscribe to commentsr3loadedMay 1st 2009 6:29PM
Gambling is illegal in Minnesota? Why?
TomMay 1st 2009 6:46PM
I think this is a better solution than hunting down and prosecuting the gamblers.
BrianMay 1st 2009 6:53PM
Pyongyang, Minneota must be very proud of it self.
sepiriothMay 1st 2009 10:08PM
watch this somehow get passed. domino effect into communism coming up! :)
supernova_hqMay 1st 2009 10:08PM
There is a big difference between visiting a gambling site and actually gambling on the site. What happens when a student wants to do a school report on the affects of online gambling, and can't even access the homepage to get a screenshot? Instead of blocking us from even seeing the website of a place where you can do something illegal (in that state), they should simply go after the people that DO break the law.
IMHO, this is akin to blocking websites that offer "escort" services. It may be illegal to pay for an "escort", but you should still be able to go to the website.
Note: by "escort", I don't mean the legit ones (if those even exist anymore).
kcdk99May 1st 2009 10:09PM
Well-put, and I'm sure that's what the court ruling will be. Visiting the site alone does not constitute gambling, and is therefore not breaking the local laws... unless of course the law states it prohibits the "visiting" of gambling venues... then such a restriction could be upheld in court.
Kenn.keeperMay 1st 2009 10:09PM
All this because the Pocketitions are not getting a share of any monies that may be bet. I wonder how much of taxpayers money was spent to let ISP's know this so they will look away......
Kenn.....
PS: I love my country but it's the government that's beginning to scare me...
nidxMay 2nd 2009 8:45AM
This seems strange to me since when I was 18 I remember going down with some friends to Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, Grand Portage, MN - since 18 was the legal gambling age there and 19 was the legal gambling age in Ontario.
This kinda brings up an interesting problem how would this affect internet access from a native reserve since there gambling is legal or connection to a gambling site run by a native reserve for that matter. Blocking web sites is just never the answer though.
PatMay 2nd 2009 9:17AM
So I guess the phone company should block call to my bookie?
Martin-TMay 3rd 2009 11:38AM
Block your calls to your significant other too. heaven knows what you two are doing when you get together but, chances are you're violating some archane law!
BrianMMay 3rd 2009 9:22PM
No, they do not want to block you from calling your booking, he contributes to their campaign!
CoreyMay 4th 2009 9:24AM
Teh internet is a global playground. It has absolutely nothing to do with location anywhere in the world. If some dude in china can log on exactly the same as I can, what difference does it make if I live in minnesota. Why don't they do something about the fact that it's so cold up there all the time instead.
BudroskiMay 5th 2009 1:18PM
Sounds like Minnesota = SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You poor people, time to move.
mikeMay 7th 2009 10:34AM
block pages = censorship !
who controls the filter list? how do we know that they don't put more sites on the list than just the gambling sites . Instead of wasting time and money to block stuff away from people why not help people with gambling problems and educate others to act responsible.
nicbotMay 7th 2009 4:22PM
In the bigger picture this would be very bad if passed and will only waste tax payer time and money. I mean like Nyar suggests, there's no way they can completely block access to these sites. Not to mention the educational as well as logistical (Native American Reservations) ramifications.
This is a classic example of an antiquated approach to a (not so) new technology/idea and how our system lacks the proper laws and policies to regulate such things imo.
As far as information goes, the internet is a free and functioning beast and needs to continue to be as such or it will just end up another "brought to you by..." cable TV channel :/