Allowing certain types of sites in a directory?

[chabbs]

I'd like your opinion. I presently own a directory and don't allow certain sites. Three types of sites that I don't allow are online gambling sites, online pharmacies, and adult sites. Out of the three, the one that I keep on debating about if I should allow, are the online gambling sites.

In your view, would allowing gambling sites diminish the value of the directory?

Some notes on the directory. There are no banners or site wide advertising. The sites would be listed in their appropriate category.

[jenkers]

Hi,
if your directory is well structured and people can find the information they are looking for easily then I would see this really as a non-issue.

If people want to use the directory to find gambling sites fine.

If they don't want to find gambling sites and nothing forces them to then fine as well, so long as they aren't bombarded with flashing casino ads when they are looking for something else.

Why haven't you included them before now?

[chabbs]

Why haven't you included them before now?

Online gambling still seems to be in the grey area in terms of legality. I also see some major online companies like Yahoo or Google that don't allow advertising for online casinos. Also, the Yahoo and Dmoz directories don't allow online gambling sites in their directory. This has had an influence on my decision for allowing online gambling sites in my directory.

I keep on getting submissions for these sites even if my submission guidelines say in bold no gambling sites. They're not spamming me, but are consistant with submissions. So, I keep on asking myself if I should allow these sites. I guess it's because I haven't really dealt with this issue. This is the reason that I've posted in this forum, I'd like to get peoples view on this issue.

[jenkers]

hi again,
I was just wondering if you were having a moral dilemna about including gambling sites.

Yahoo and the ODP both have numerous sections for casinos and gambling in one form or another.

Google Adsense says that it doesn't allow adsense ads on gambling related pages, however they do show casino ads on the search network, and Yahoo provides hundreds of casino ads if you search on a related subject.

I don't know if that helps or not...

[chabbs]

lol, I guess it is a little bit of a moral dilemma. You've helped me make my choice, thanks.

[stoner3221]

I forget the specifics but some states have sued advertisers of online gambling sites. When Google stopped allowing their advertising I did some reading up on it and stopped accepting them at Skaffe and have never accepted them at WoW. Nothing moral about it with me I just don’t want any possible legal hassles.

[chabbs]

This was my concern from the beginning, the legal hassles.

Would listing them in a directory be considered advertising?

[steveb]

Don't be absurd. Listing websites isn't going to get you in a "legal hassle".

Depending upon your locality it is always possible that it is illegal for you to advertise something, but there is obviously no general rule concerning that.