Application Comment Details

The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) is the information and communications technology sector (ICT) regulator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SA).

Amongst its roles and responsibilities include:

• Granting licenses in the ICT sector

• Protection of users’ rights

• Setting service quality standards

• Preparation of policies, regulatory frameworks and studies of ICT sector in SA

• domain name administration in SA

• Increasing the information security awareness level in SA

• Supervision of the National Committee for Information Society in SA

This application is sensitive as the applied-for gTLD string is likely to be used to promote a practice which is detrimental to public order and morals and prohibited in a number of religions and cultures. In those countries in which gambling is legal there are strict laws governing its practice. Please note that in some countries gambling is illegal.

The increasing prevalence of gambling websites has made it easier for people to gamble and for longer periods of time. The inevitable consequence is an increase in gambling addiction and the detrimental effects upon the victim's family.

We are concerned that the gTLD string will be used to promote and glamorise gambling. In addition to the prohibition of gambling in certain countries, the availability of gambling is controlled in most countries because governments have identified the associated dangers. The promotion of gambling on the world wide web is of particular concern because it provides unrestricted access, offering little to no protection to minors or the vulnerable and is offensive to those communities in which it is prohibited.

Therefore, we respectfully request that ICANN not award this gTLD string.