Quebec Loses Push to Block Offshore Gambling Domains

This week the Quebec government lost a court case that would have seen them having the ability to block offshore gambling site domains.

The ruling came down from Quebec Superior Court, who decided that the domain blocking measure found in the bill authorizing it is unconstitutional. The government was looking to block offshore domains in order to help promote the province-sanctioned Espace-jeux betting site. The move was being made under the guise of protecting players, but the court wasn't having it.

The court ruled that the province doesn't have the ability to change telecommunications law, which falls under federal law. Furthermore, the court ruled that if the bill were allowed to stand, it would impact freedom of expression.

Quebec has the option of appealing the ruling, but the odds of the case being ruled in favor of the province appear to be very low.