An Israeli High Court has ruled that gambling Web sites operating legally in other countries but targeting Israel-based bettors violate Israeli law.
The precedent-setting ruling was handed down Monday by Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court Judge Abraham Heiman in the case of Victor Chandler (VCI) CEO Michael Carlton.
"In the era of the Internet," Heiman said, "the original location of content (Internet services) is marginal and negligible. The center of gravity, especially the territorial legal jurisdiction, must switch to the end point, in other words, the individual computer."
Carlton traveled to Israel earlier this month at the invitation of government ministers, allegedly to discuss VCI's operations in the country. On Jan. 11, he was apprehended by Israeli authorities under suspicion of organizing and managing illegal gambling in Israel.
After being detained for questioning, Carlton was released and returned via London to VCI headquarters in Gibraltar.
On Jan. 12, Carlton issued a statement, wherein he attempted to dispel rumors of his detainment.
"I traveled to Israel for a preplanned meeting with government ministers, at their invitation, regarding licensing arrangements in the country," Carlton said. "Before leaving I was invited to spend two hours with the Israeli authorities answering their questions regarding online gambling in Israel.
VCI advertises in and accepts bets from Israel, but gambling in the country is otherwise overseen by a state-run monopoly.
VCI has not been reached for comment.