Justice Dept. gives up on gaming ad laws

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999 | 11:21 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Justice Department said in court papers it has given up on trying to regulate casino gambling advertising, even in states where casino gambling is illegal.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled a government ban on casino gambling ads was an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights. The court ruling, however, didn't specify whether gambling advertising was legal even in non-gambling states.

In a case involving Players International Inc., the government filed a brief saying it would no longer enforce the gambling ad ban anywhere in the country.

"The government has concluded that (the ban) may not constitutionally be applied to broadcasters who transmit truthful advertisements for lawful casino gambling, whether the broadcasters are located in a state that permits casino gambling or a state that does not," the government said.

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