Online bingo sites and bingo marketers were stunned after PR Web, a major press release distribution service, was forced by the state of Washington to ban all egaming press releases. PR Web stated they had received a cease and desist order from the State of Washington’s Online Gambling Commission.

Cari Lyle, PRWeb’s East Coast Manager of Editorial Services stated, “I apologize for the abrupt notice. This was not a decision that PRWeb willingly made. We received a Cease and Desist letter from the Washington State Online Gambling Commission requiring that we immediately halt the distribution of press releases promoting online gambling sites and content. As PRWeb is located in Washington State, we are required to be in compliance with Washington State laws.”

For those who are involved with marketing online bingo the loss of PR Web is a serious setback. Most well written press releases submitted to PR Web are picked up by Google, Yahoo, and other major online news outlets. PR Web also supports Search Engine Marketing (SEM) campaigns and allows the use of Activated URL’s and anchor text links making PR Web valuable to online bingo marketers. The company’s UK branch is following the same policy even though online bingo is perfectly legal in the UK.

Washington State has some of the strictest online gaming rules in the US. Under the draconian law online bingo players are committing a class c felony. The only online gaming permitted by the law is wagering on horse races. PR Web representatives have said the move was made reluctantly.