I just read this on the Louisville Newspapers website. Figured it would be of interest to everyone.

"A Franklin County Circuit judge has 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, according to the governor's office.

Kentucky is the first state to bring an action against Internet gambling operators that has resulted in the seizure of domain names, the governor's office said in a statement."

The rest of the article can be found here:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...EWS01/80922042

Not sure exactly what it means as far as all online poker players go in Kentucky, but it could be bad news for everyone throughout the country if this goes through.

This is kind of ironic, since Steve Beshear's race for governor was supported in this forum and, after his victory, lauded as one where poker players made a difference.

Does the PPA have a representative in Ky ???

What says the PPA ?

Is there a carveout for poker in this policy at the State level ?

(Will now-Gov. Beshear be refunding my campaign contribution ?)

I agree with you 100%. I believe Beshear was voted into office for his strong stance supporting Gambling. Although, apparently gambling is only good if its in a Kentucky Casino. Online gambling is apparently WAYYYY WORSE. Utterly ridiculous if you ask me.

This is obviously designed to protect the horse racing industry in Kentucky, which by the way, is a legal form of online gambling in the state.

What a hypocrite.

Pappas and I have exchanged some emails on this and are reviewing the next steps.

Very funny.

I know I'll be demanding one as well.

Take a step back, think of this as a creative opening to get Poker sites OFF the list.

Do NOT ask for your money back. Do mention that poker players were strong supporters for the Governor.

(Your reponse to the question of whether PPA had a rep in Ky. was pretty funny, because any slight you were reacting to was wholly unintentional. I really did not remember you were the PPA Ky guy.)

Good luck.

Most sites are registered outside of the US and are outside US law. How does this KY court assert jurisidiction?

Here is the list http://www.thedomains.com/wp-content...main-names.pdf

FTP, PokerStars, Cake are among the 141 domain names listed. A link to a pdf of the court order is here:

http://www.point-spreads.com/downloa...in%20Names.pdf

Agree.

Definitely.

Thanks.

Here's another article with more information: http://www.kypost.com/content/news/c...2-5713979b3d6c

for the first time in my 34 years im not proud to be an american.

IMO if a site's domain was not registered with a US company, then the non-US company that registers it should ignore this court. OTOH, IMO the PPA litigation team ought to consider some mean of contesting this litigation under the Commerce Clause. However, one of the defendants must at least decide to contest the litigation for the PPA to be able to assist.
After the Bodog affair, why would any Internet gambling site register its domain with a US company? So one wonders if this litigation means anything?

You should read this forum more often, then. You've missed a lot of news over the past few years.


This stuff seems pretty scary, but also pretty stupid. I don't understand exactly what this seizure would mean. Is this sort of thing merely a political move? Surely it cannot be sensible for their demand of seizure to actually be honored -- why would KY have the right to do this while other states do not? Do any of you knowledgeable posters know if there is any way this could actually grow into a problem for the online poker industry, or is it just a random, ineffectual political jab?

WOW!!!

Whats next. Unbelievable.

Soon many Americans will begin to move back to Europe - where their grandparents and great grandparents came from - Europe - the new land of the free. Seems like most of our banks and business are owned now by foriegners anyway.

I never knew Gambling was so bad for you. Seems like it is the number one priority of our governemnt at the local and national levels is to shut down online gamlbing. But hey, lets continue with the lottery and land based indian casinos.

my parents and all my family are from irelans. if i can save around 100k im moving there. not just for poker just a better way of life over there. sorry not trying to hijack the thread.

You must have a higher tolerance level than I do. I've spent the majority of the last 8 years feeling that way although it did take me a few more than 34 years to experience the feeling the first time.

If I read this correctly they will only seize the domain names (assuming this is really possible) if the sites don't stop operating in KY. If the sites do this or the state in some way gets ISPs to block the sites would it give standing for a player to file suit?