Apparently free speech does not apply to gambling in that state, too. Last month the state officially banned online gambling and warned its residents that breaking the law will send them straight to jail.

The new law declares that placing bets online is illegal. But the state also goes on to say that even writing about Internet gambling and telling people what and where to gamble is "aiding and abetting" an illegal industry.

As a result major gambling publications have decided to cancel its Washington subcriptions lest they be slapped with violations by the very cranky state officials.

The magazines are "Casino Player" — a monthly review of U.S. casinos and hotels — and "Strictly Slots" — a guide to one-armed bandits, video poker and other mechanized means of gambling.

All a disappointed subscriber from Spokane got was a note saying: "It is with deep regret that we must inform you (that) we must cancel all subscriptions to Washington State."

It is not clear whether the magazines were forced to take this action or they simply took it upon themselves to interpret the law. But who can blame them?

A magazine’s lifeblood is advertisers. Ergo, they can be easily accused of violating state law because of gambling ads that they have. But one might inquire: Can the government really stop publications from carrying gambing advertisements?

Apparently, a Supreme Court ruling says so: "For commercial speech to come within the First Amendment, it at least must concern lawful activity and not be misleading." Thus, advertising an illegal activity is clearly illegal.

As a non-lawyer I cannot argue this on a legal point of view. But I can argue that telling someone what and what not to read is clearly stepping on one’s basic rights. Not to mention insulting our intelligence.

Whatever happened to that old-age Voltaire quote, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it."?

Then again, our lawmakers can always grumble about him being French.

Revisit: Washington Puts Online Gamblers in Jail

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