By
Dan |
Published
Oct 17 2008, 07:48 AM
A historical decision was passed down by Kentucky Judge Thomas Wingate on Thursday in a court case that could curb internet gambling in the Commonwealth. Its Governor, Steve Beshear, has led the campaign to forbid 141 internet gambling domain names from soliciting Kentucky customers by seizing them. It’s a landmark case with global implications that will stretch far beyond just gambling. One of the leading thinkers organizing the troops in Kentucky is Jim Waters, the Director of Policy and Communications for the Bluegrass Institute. Waters joins this week’s PocketFives.com Podcast to discuss what could be the downfall of online poker in Kentucky.
Waters gave us his take the ruling by Judge Wingate on Thursday to deny the motion for dismissal by representatives of the 141 internet gambling domain names and instead schedule a final forfeiture hearing in November: “We think that this is nothing more than a high-tech hijacking. The decision means that the Judge is just an accessory to that. This was done behind closed doors. Not even the Attorney General would take on this case. We were hoping that the Judge would interpret the Constitution, strictly abide by it, and not allow the unchecked power of the Executive Branch to continue in this manner.”
The move by Governor Steve Beshear and negative ruling by Judge Wingate have ignited the fire under organizations pushing for the rights of online poker players and internet gamblers alike. One of the main points of emphasis has been the dangerous precedent that this ruling may set, extending the rights of the government to regulate and censor the internet: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a poker player or have a political website that the administration might find that it doesn’t like. This is what they did in the Soviet Union. It cannot be allowed to stand.”
While Kentucky-owned websites like TwinSpires.com continue to accept horse racing wagering online, sites like PokerStars are now prime targets for government action. So how did the list of the 141 affected domain names come to be? Waters is unsure: “We’re not sure how the sites on the list got on there. It’s a very inconsistent policy and very dangerous. This goes beyond the issue of gambling. We think that it’s time for Kentucky residents to stand up and contact their State Legislators.”
In total, Waters believes that the case to seize the domain names may be nothing more than an attempt by the government to monopolize the industry, ensuring that sites like TwinSpires.com and the Kentucky State Lottery operate with little or no competition: “The Governor has been hypocritical in promoting casino gambling. He ran for office under the platform of expanding gambling. It should be clear that this is nothing but the government’s attempt to monopolize the gambling market here and shut down competition. It’s a joke if the administration thinks this is good government.”
The internet remains one medium that allows anyone with a little know-how to be able to express their views to the masses. The website you’re reading right now is an example of how much the internet can actually benefit people. Waters explains the inherent threat: “Many people have prospered and supported their families through internet businesses. I’m much more concerned about the force of government being used to deny our freedoms and trampling our liberties.”
Listen to Jim Waters this week on the PocketFives.com Podcast. We’d like to thank Jim for joining us this week despite the unfortunate circumstances.
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