Kentucky to ban online gambling

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear is trying to eliminate online gambling from the state. A big part of why he got elected was because he campaigned to bring gaming into the state to increase revenues.

Right now he's trying to get control of 140 domain names that have been used in the state, including absolutepoker.com, fulltiltpoker.com, goldenpalace.com, pokerstars.com, pokertime.com, reeferpoker.com, sportsbook.com, ultimaebet.com, and microgaming.com.

I live in KY. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.
I'm *assuming* that this will lead to nothing. Controlling a domain name is a lot different than controlling a site. And I don't think it'll work.
Worst case scenario, the IP's get blocked by the ISP's in KY.

He won't be re-elected next time around

This will lead to a big can of worms. Not so much as the gambling sites but the transfer of legitimate registered domain names. This is the one case that might open wide the total freedom of the web from any and all regulations.

Excuse the ignorance but I have no idea of laws etc. in USA, but this cant really happen can it? It would be a cold day in hell is pokerstars lost their own domain name.

Nobody can take over a domain name, as stated above the only thing they can do is have the local ISP's Block certain websites, and they would only be allowed to do this with LOCAL ISP's. They would also have to pay for the blockage. With that said, everybody will be able to purchase Air Cards from their Cell Phone company and continue on with their routine because a national carrier would not allow this and it would cost to much to block.

From my understanding, that would only give the state a sort of guardianship of the domain name. That is, if they win, they can ban Internet Service Providers who operate in their area from allowing access to these sites.

Such a ban could block the sites from other states as well. Possibly the entire U.S.

More on the story here, and a place where you can leave comments.

Actually, as has been demonstrated very recently in the Bodog case - it is possible to get a domain name confiscated with a little effort. If these sites have used US registrars (which some of them have, stupidly!) - the US registrars will simply hand over the domain names rather than be faced with a lawsuit. This is similar to what happened with Bodog - Bodog used Godaddy who are well known for confiscating domain names once a court (disclaimer: I'm not a guru at US law) has ordered them to do so.

P.S. Stars/FT use UK registrars which are likely owned by themselves... this is definitely a smart move but this doesn't leave them 100% protected as ICANN oversees all .com domain names and *could* confiscate them (I'm unsure as to whether this has happened in the past, I was somewhat under the impression that ICANN don't quite bend over like some of the registrars do)

Now that y'all see what this country is attempting to do, take away our right to what it is we do in the privacy of our own homes!!! Maybe NOW y'all will get INVOLVED! There is an alliance which I am PROUD to be a member of that is FIGHTING this illegal legislation--- pokerplayersalliance.org ---By joining our Alliance you will be able to have a say as to what YOUR Government does!

Don't they have bigger problem in this country then trying to tell us how we can spend our money and free time. Let me think the war, the economy, foreclosures, corp. bail outs and general goverment corruption just for a start. I have'nt been to ky. but I would guess they have bigger problems to solve then sticking their nose in our private business. Is this governor a republican? I'm guessing he is. Good Luck Ky. and the rest of us if he succeeds.

This could be a very great problem as there many more sites that could be blocked. Please keep this thread going so the rest of us can follow.

this sucks big time.
Im english, so Im happy that this could never(hopefully never!) happen in the UK, but thisd sucks if it goes ahead for you american guys.
As an aside, any .com website is american, right? just wondering about cardschat.COM, and the like, or is it where the actual site is registered, and not just the .com bit?

just read this and it sux big time, just like a politition to say one thing and completely do something else, Do us USA citizens have any rites at all anymore,im 63 and should be able to do what i want, not told what i can or cant do,, keeps getting worse and worse,, buck

Hopefully the citizens of KY will wise up and make sure that he doesn't get voted in next time around, and vote someone in who will repeal the law.



~H

thnaks God here in Brazil we don't have yet an specific law for online gambling.

but what would happen with these sites like pokerstars and ftp?

This is getting to be pretty sad! Why does the government care so much about stopping online gaming. This is supposed to be the best country in the world, but we can't even play poker with our own money out of the privacy of our own homes on our own computers. Our government is a sad story right now.

Pokerplayersalliance.org We are an organization FIGHTING this illeagal legislation!!!

Some states are more harsh than others when it comes to online poker. But at the same time, it is not legalized in the U.S.

The following was in my email box. WHAT B.S.

"Kentucky Seizes 141 Gambling Domains

Poker Player's Alliance issued a statement today about this.

I still find it amazing that some politicians will waste so much time on something like this when there are 1000x more pressing matters out there to deal with.

Thanks for posting that link to the PPA. I never even knew they existed. I urge anyone who isnt already a member to do so. We need to protect our rights.

What he is doing is the same as to shut down all other stores when the government opens its stores. You have to shop at the government’s stores. If this is not communism I don’t know what it is.

I merged the 2 threads into one discussion.

I've been telling people about the PPA for quite some time now. I've been a member there for a while now and have made several posts about it and what it is we do! pokerplayersalliance.org

yup, i been a member of the PPA for a long time, seems they cant do to much either, but there trying, hopefully something will be done,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, buck

Sounds like they want to keep gamblers but not internet gamblers. Horse players don't generally bet on the internet. I don't know how effective one state can be. Remember, the Libertarian Party is the only political party poker in the US that supports the right to play internet poker.

Protecting the rights of the public, my a**! Protecting the lining of his and probably his special interests pockets is more like it. I find it extremely insulting that he would try to fein interest in protecting the public, when in the same breath, he supports the Kentucky racing industry, casinos, and lotteries (hmmm...I wonder how much any of these groups have contributed in campaign funds? Anyone know?). Is he really naive enough to think that those with gambling problems aren't taking everything they have to the race track or casino. But he doesn't mind them losing all their money there, as long as the government gets a cut. Honestly, it makes me ill. And I don't even live in Kentucky. I think I'll be giving Governor Beshear a call today.

he is a democrat from what i heard, but this really doesnt matter

Rick, Ive joined the PPA, Im from UK so not sure what I can do, but my name's down with PPA, and I support you guys across the pond.

This is truely bad news. I wonder what special interest is paying him off.

Pantin007, Just thought you would like to know the governor of Kentucky is Ernie Fletcher - Republican If you don't think it matters you need to start checking how republicans vote on these kinds of issues. It's not good if you want to play poker online.

I must apolgize he was the gov and was not re-elected and the new gov is a democrat. I am very upset to think the democrats are now doing this to. I guess it's time to find a new country. I hear Aus. is very nice. My sincere apology again Pantin007

Yep, a 1st term governor, elected 11/6/07, he turned 64 on 9/21/08. Democrat, Baptist and a member of Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Read more at: Project Vote Smart - Governor Steven L. 'Steve' Beshear - Biography

yea i live in ky and this kinda sucks but i dont think it will go anywhere the main reason he got elected is to bring casinos to ky but no hes tryin to take away internet poker

As a good baptist why is he not going after the porn sites. He coulkd tax them and pay for ky.