The Chinese Government has released a set of strict regulations against audio-visual content broadcasted via the internet. Issued by both the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and the Ministry of Information Industry, the new regulations are designed to crack down on violence, sex, and online gambling related audio-visual content.
According to Government notice, "those who provide Internet audio-video services should insist on serving the people, serving socialism and abide by the moral code of socialism." As such, they view online gambling content as a potential cause of socially, morally, and politically harmful situations.
Under the new broadcasting rules, all online gambling websites and those offering audio-visual services, must apply for a broadcasting license valid for a 3 year period only. This will be extremely difficult for online gambling sites, as the regulations also require that those applying for a license be solely State owned enterprises, or those whose shares are controlled by the State. In addition, any online gambling sites found to be in breach of the new policy will be severely fined.
According to French reporters, the Chinese Government has gone so far as blocking online gambling and audio-visual inclusive sites, and even jailing people for broadcasting unacceptable information. Media watchdogs have nicknamed the Government as "enemy of the internet", and with such harsh repercussions implemented, this may be the end of online gambling in China.
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