'According to a ZDNet report, authorities in Australia are investigating Google and a few other search engines for possible breach of the country's online gambling laws. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) prohibits advertising of gambling services on Web sites where "it is likely that the majority of that site's users are physically present in Australia". Banned services include online casino-style gaming services such as roulette, poker, craps, online poker machines and blackjack. Breaching the Act carries a maximum penalty of AU$220 000 ... per day for individuals and AU$1.1 million ... per day for corporations.'

My take: it's difficult to see how Google, a foreign corporation, could be subject to Australian laws regulating advertising taking place on its United States-based servers. The Act was never designed to police foreign websites -- just to prevent them being setup and run out of Australia. This is unlikely to amount to anything.

Originally by Zonk at Slashdot: Your Rights Online, 12:14 PM

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