AAMS continues blocks despite order to stop

The spotlight hasn’t faded on AAMS. The Italian regulator, Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli de Stato has been in the online public glare since it began blocking online gambling sites that weren’t based in Italy.
The issue has since snowballed as AAMS continues to ignore ongoing reports from the Court of Rome to lift the ban on Astrabet.
Astrabet recently sought legal support to get the ban lifted. Astrabet took legal action against AAMS on grounds that proper processes were not being followed. The court decreed that the ISP block be lifted.
Nevertheless, Astrabet maintains that AAMS is continuing blocking their site, even against the court's order. Spokesman for the company said that they will be launching further legal action and litigation against the regulator – hopefully forcing them to abide by the court's rulings.

AAMS applied a decree specifying hundreds of online sites to be blocked. This directive was delivered to ISPs. Much concern was created from this action, especially throughout Europe. In fact, the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority even condemned the move. Many licensees and large, powerful international gambling groups are threatening to take further legal action.

Astrabet, however, was the first to take the legal step. The outcome appears to have set a positive precedent for the other companies.
However, AAMS's non-compliance, according to Astrabet's spokesman, is  a serious legal issue and offence.  The group is disobeying a legitimate court order. This will only create another round of legal litigation.

AAMS responded last week with a reclamo. This is an appeal against the findings. The company has demanded the judge to thus suspend his decision. The appeal has been accepted and a new date for the hearing will take place at the end of May.
Nevertheless, the judge refused a request to suspend the ruling. For this reason, Astrabet believes there should be no blockage on its site, from the Italian market.

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