<SPAN class=pmc-pr-title-text id=pressReleaseMetaDataPlaceholderControl_Presenta tionModeControlsContainer__ctl0_presentationContro l_titleText>Kentucky seizes domain names of illegal Internet gambling sites</SPAN> <TABLE id=pressReleaseMetaDataTable summary="layout table" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right><SPAN class=pmc-pr-md-label id=pressReleaseMetaDataPlaceholderControl_Presenta tionModeControlsContainer__ctl0_presentationContro l_dateLabel>Press Release Date:</SPAN> </TD><TD vAlign=top><SPAN class=pmc-pr-md-text id=pressReleaseMetaDataPlaceholderControl_Presenta tionModeControlsContainer__ctl0_presentationContro l_dateText>Monday, September 22, 2008</SPAN> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right><SPAN class=pmc-pr-md-label id=pressReleaseMetaDataPlaceholderControl_Presenta tionModeControlsContainer__ctl0_presentationContro l_contactInfoLabel>Contact Information:</SPAN> </TD><TD vAlign=top><SPAN class=pmc-pr-md-text id=pressReleaseMetaDataPlaceholderControl_Presenta tionModeControlsContainer__ctl0_presentationContro l_contactInfoText>Jay Blanton
Jill Midkiff
502-564-2611</SPAN> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Judge orders transfer of 141 domain names to Commonwealth

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Franklin County Circuit judge last week ordered the transfer of the domain names of 141 illegal Internet gambling sites to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in an effort to stop illegal and unregulated online gaming. Kentucky is the first state to bring an action against Internet gambling operators that has resulted in the seizure of domain names.

The order came Thursday in response to a suit filed by the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet on behalf of the Commonwealth seeking to force the sites to block access to Kentucky users, or relinquish control of their domains. Judge Thomas Wingate ordered a forfeiture hearing for Sept. 25th on the matter. The Justice Cabinet had asked the court to order Internet registrars to transfer control of the domain names to the Commonwealth, pending a hearing on whether forfeiture is required.

“Unlicensed, unregulated, illegal Internet gambling poses a tremendous threat to the citizens of the Commonwealth because of its ease, availability and anonymity,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “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.”

By seizing the domain names, Kentucky can require that the illegal casino operators use readily available technology to block their domains from being accessed in the Commonwealth.

Beshear said Kentucky loses tens of million of dollars a year to online gambling, which is illegal in all 50 states. And, he said, the illegal activity has repercussions far exceeding its monetary losses to the Commonwealth:

• <LI>Unlicensed Internet gambling significantly undermines and threatens horseracing, Kentucky's signature industry and a key tourism industry, by creating unregulated and untaxed competition; <LI>The accessibility of the Internet, and the unregulated and private nature of Internet gambling, creates conduits for youths to log on and place wagers; <LI>The anonymity of the Internet and sophistication of encryption devices make it difficult to trace online laundering schemes; and <LI>The unregulated gaming lacks consumer protections to ensure that individuals who choose to gamble are actually paid for their winnings. </LI>

Kentucky law has long reflected its strong public policy prohibiting unlicensed, illegal, and unregulated gambling operations, Beshear noted, adding that the Commonwealth is uniquely suited to bring action against illegal Internet gambling operators. Sections of KRS Chapter 528 specifically mandate the forfeiture of any gambling devices, such as domain names and websites for Internet gambling, and make it illegal to conduct, promote, advertise, own, profit from or conspire to profit from an illegal gambling operation.

Secretary J. Michael Brown said that site owners, when registering domain names, agree to conditions that stipulate the domain name not be used for illegal purposes. He noted that some online gambling sites already block access to Kentucky users.

“Governor Beshear has once again demonstrated that he is willing to take bold and innovative steps to protect Kentuckians and Kentucky’s legitimate businesses,” Secretary Brown said. “Illegal Internet gambling poses a unique threat to our Commonwealth. For individuals – particularly our youth – it is tantamount to a virtual home invasion. For some of our vital and most venerable legitimate enterprises, it undermines their exemplary regulatory compliance and siphons away their constituents.

“We are hopeful that once this litigation is concluded, the Commonwealth will be off limits to these illegal purveyors.”

WTF??? Did anyone see this coming? Guy gets elected by promising casinos, and now this?

I know in washington state, when the felony law passed, they said it was largely folks who created/operated online gambling sites that originated in the state.. maybe the same there?

For the love of God, please tell me this isn't going to affect the players! Stupid, backwards, hillbilly state this is. Churchill downs runs Kentucky.

your cousin

and to think I got off my lazy ass to vote for this guy that was supposed to bring us casinos.

sounds to me like worst case scenario they block our access from the sites, guess I'll move across the river if it comes down to it.

 

Originally Posted by truesyalose

and to think I got off my lazy ass to vote for this guy that was supposed to bring us casinos.

sounds to me like worst case scenario they block our access from the sites, guess I'll move across the river if it comes down to it.

Based on everything I read this will not be the case. Much like it was in Italy, they are blocking the domain names but not the sites themselves (once the client is installed you connect by IP I believe). So in other words, you will be able to play on pokerstars using the pokerstars client but you won't be able to visit www.pokerstars.com the website.

Also, if you have an air card I believe you will be able to circumvent this altogether but someone who knows a little bit more about networking could confirm this.

This is unbelievable. Just like always, Kentucky democrats can be bought. I will never vote democrat in this state again. Fuck Steve Beshear.

I heard about this yesterday on the news, and of course out of the 140 sites, they chose to single out "Referpoker.com", a site with a name that would make many voters agree w/ our government. And lol at the sites "preying" on the public, this is why we should all vote libertarian.

I've already received emails from the PPA regarding this. Please take a few minutes to send a few letters.

To send one to the Governor:

http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersallian...56&type=SW

To send one State Rep/Senator:

http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersallian...41&type=ST

is this really a serious problem. or just another law that online sites will find a way to loophole?

I will never vote Kentucky democrat again in my life.

This is Beshear trying to stop internet gambling before pushing through his own casino agenda in Kentucky. It is sickening the way politicians work in this state. Big horse money (who would also be the big casino money not coincidentally) is undoubtedly controlling the governor's stance and actions on this issue. This has absolutely nothing to do with terrorist funding, child gaming, or any of the other reasons he listed. This is all about big horse money in Kentucky. I'm ashamed of this state's government more than ever, and that is saying something.

Not quite a sky is falling type event but significant nonetheless:

http://www.point-spreads.com/industr...-governor.html

Some registrars have already cooperated.

Just another example of corporate money dictating laws. Pretty much all politicians are puppets of their supporters with cash. Kind of depressing really.

 

Originally Posted by drewmas7

Does anyone have any more information on this from a legal perspective? Can Kentucky seize domain names based on the laws Beshear is touting?

I'm sure they can if the judge ruled that way, but I'll see if I can get ahold of the court case and post some details here.

 

Originally Posted by drewmas7

Is their some sort of precedent for such an action ie has a United States government entity ever seized domain names and blocked them from US citizens?

I found an AP article that ran in the San Jose Mercury News in 2003 detailing how the Justice Department had been seizing domain names related to arrests for drugs and pirated video-game consoles.

DOMAIN NAMES BEING SEIZED - JUSTICE DEPT. TRIES NEW TACTIC:
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n349/a06.html

[I know this site is a biased site with an agenda, but I actually read the article in the San Jose newspaper archive, but this is the only link I could find available to all - it looks to be the exact same article]