Adwords UK Pulls Gambling Advertising

But Your Site May Or May Not Be OK

[webdev]

Just received an email from the UK Google Adwords team stating that they will be stopping all gambling related adverts.

They have generally said that it is at their discretion as to whether they allow your ad or not dependant upon your site.

Is this the end of the ride?.

[martinibuster]

Same in the US, beginning April 27th. The only exceptions in the US are destination ads for casinos in states where it's legal to gamble.

[vibgyor79]

>>> in states where it's legal to gamble.

Other than Nevada, where else is it legal to gamble?

[percentages]

I don't understand this from a legal perspective. How many casinos operate in places where it is illegal to gamble? And how many of those use, of have affiliates that use, GoogleAdwords?

In the US it is legal to gamble in many places, such as Indian Reservations and River or Offshore boats.

There is something odd here. There is no way Google can determine the legalities of the operation in question, the US Congress, Senate and State Governments can't even do that effectively.

This looks like a moral, or play it safe, decision.

Just like online pharmacies, they want to avoid the associated legalities that "may" be an issue.

[martinibuster]

>>>Other than Nevada, where else is it legal to gamble?

Connecticut has Foxwoods Indian Casino, and a really nice one I go to when in the neighborhood but can't remember the name.

Atlantic City has Casinos

New Mexico has the Camel Rock Casino and many others.

California has Indian casinos (Cache Creek, etc)

Plus there are riverboat casinos, too.

[edited by: martinibuster at 8:51 am (utc) on April 22, 2004]

[webdev]

Well I wrote to them to see if my sites were allowed, and they have said unfortunately no. Even though my sites provide a lot of content, how to, rules, strategies etc scattered with some ads.

Its a strange one becasue its completely legal to gamble in the UK, there are betting shops, casinos etc...

I too believe that they do not want to come in for any criticism later down the line....and are hedging their bets and playing it safe.

Does anyone think that the other PPC companies will follow suit.

Also will this apply to the official sites etc...not affiliates.

[percentages]

>Connecticut has Foxwoods Indian Casino

Outside of Vegas that is my favorite;) Odd to think Foxwood's gets huge advertising on TV via the World Poker Tour, but will possibly will be exempt from Google?

I wonder if Atlantic City locations are going to get the same treatment from Google? "The Donald" Trump might have something to say about that having spent several weeks on NBC promoting it!

As a Brit this decision seems rediculous.....the UK/European mentality to gambling is totally different from the US mentality.

To think the Casino de Monte Carlo, or Hotel de Paris in Monaco would be axed is nothing short of an infringement on all things decent IMHO :(

Pulling casino Ads is just another example of how Google will offend via a rash act.

I don't see how they can pull affiliates and not the location owners. If it is a legal concern it would have to apply equally.