Swiss Reject idea to Block Gambling Websites

SWISS LEGAL COMMITTEE REJECTS ON LINE GAMBLING WEBSITE BLOCKING IDEA
 
Close vote in Legal Affairs Committee
 
The Legal Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council has nixed new regulations which would have blocked access to online gambling sites in Switzerland, according to local media reports Tuesday.
 
www.Recentpoker.com readers will recall that earlier this year, the Council of States voted in favor of measures proposed by the Federal Council to block sites offering online gambling to Swiss IP addresses at the behest of land gambling companies afraid of the impact of online gaming competition on their businesses.
 
However, the Legal Affairs Committee has voted 13 to 12 to remove internet blocking from pending legalization. Instead, the new framework allows the Federal Gaming Commission to warn and, if necessary, prosecute sites operating in contravention of anti-gambling legalization.
 
In five years' time, if further enforcement is necessary, the Federal Council can put in place technical measures, the Committee ruled.
 
The new articles replace the draft Articles 80 to 90 in the Money Games Bill.