More Department of Justice media interference in the States?

Reports in online gambling portal Sports911and the New York Post this week suggest that the U.S. Department of Justice may again be interfering with mainstream media on the question of Internet gambling advertising.

The report reveals that Esquire Magazine is "possibly" pulling a multi-million dollar Bodog.com advertisement from its July issue following what was described as "....a visit by the FBI related to online gambling."

Despite this, Bodog.com plans to continue a significant print and mainstream marketing blitz. When we went to press Esquire had not responded to our requests for confirmation on the story.

The DoJ was in the headlines last year for allegedly "intimidating" media into dropping online gambling advertising by advising search engines and various publications that this may constitute an illegal activity. The DoJ was challenged by Casino City in an important law suit seeking a declaratory judgement on the issue. The government won the first round, and the case is on appeal by Casino City.