Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Press releaseWhat happens in Vegas better stay away from Utah children. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is giving that message to Las Vegas casinos, alcohol manufacturers and other companies. Shurtleff sent letters this week warning companies about the legal consequences of sending adult-oriented advertisements to children by text or e-mail.
Utah families can sign up e-mail addresses, cell phone numbers, instant message addresses and fax numbers with the Utah Child Protection Registry to keep from receiving advertisements for anything harmful to a minor or that a minor is prohibited from purchasing.
In the letter, Shurtleff explains the consequences of sending ads to anyone who has signed up for the registry. "Sending even one message to a registered address or phone number could result in criminal liability and substantial civil fines for any company whose product is being advertised, any service provider who assists in sending the message, as well as any individual who actually authorizes or sends the message."
So far more than 225,000 e-mail addresses and nearly 10,000 cell phone numbers are protected under the do-not-contact program. Utahns can sign up for the registry at www.donotcontact.utah.gov. The site also includes public service announcements about the registry created by Utah high school and junior high school students.
The letters were sent to 19 gaming companies and ten companies involved in selling or distributing alcohol. Shurtleff is hoping the letters will spur the companies to comply with the law or show they are already in compliance.
"Utah is proactive in the efforts to maintain the program and enforcement," adds Shurtleff. "It is our goal to educate companies about these laws, to help them take a stance on not marketing to registe red addresses."
(courtesy: Utah Attorney General's Office)
