Kentucky seeking to block access to online gaming sites

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Kentucky is attempting a somewhat novel tactic in its battle against online gambling - the state is asking the courts to give it control of over 140 gambling-related domains in an attempt to block Kentucky residents from accessing the sites.

Governor Steve Beshear explained the logic behind the move to the Kentucky Post: “Unlicensed, unregulated, illegal Internet gambling poses a tremendous threat to the citizens of the Commonwealth because of its ease, availability and anonymity,” said Beshear. “The owners and operators of these illegal sites prey on Kentucky citizens, including our youth, and deprive the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in revenue. It’s an underworld wrought with scams and schemes.

Casino gambling is illegal in Kentucky, but the state does have a substantial horse racing industry. The result is that Kentucky has a number of laws on the books that specifically prohibit the promotion or facilitation of unsanctioned wagers, online or offline. It’s under those laws that the Governor is seeking to cause the sites to forfeit ownership of their domains.

The domains in question include FullTiltPoker.com, BodogLife.com, DoylesRoom.com and others.

PPA Executive Director John Pappas had this to say about the move: “The Poker Players Alliance is outraged at the actions taken by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and the Franklin County Circuit Court to seize the domain names of Internet gambling websites. We believe this action not only unduly restricts the freedom of Kentucky residents to play games of skill, such as poker, online, but sets a precedent for censorship of the Internet by force.

Pappas continued: “Many of Governor Beshear’s arguments – that online poker is illegal, unregulated and without a mechanism to capture tax revenue – are false. Online poker is not illegal under Kentucky law, is regulated in its home jurisdiction and the Commonwealth of Kentucky chose not to license and regulate poker websites.”

Full PPA statement here.

2+2 legislation thread on the issue here.