[bigboydan]

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:

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

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.”

[reno cool]

so what the **** does this mean now?

[SlickFazzer]

Don't move to Kentucky.

[MonkeyF0cker]

What a load of horse shit...

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by reno cool

so what the **** does this mean now?

Good question sir.

My guess is that gaming websites could be next of the list for the government in order to stop offshore gambling. If that's truly the case then I can't say I'm surprised at all based on similar things I've seen other industries that were deemed as "illegal" in the U.S. government's eyes.

BTW, Below is a partial list of the websites that have been seized:

Absolute Poker
Bodoglife.com
cakepoker.com
doylesroom.com
full tilt
golden palace
linesmaker???
pokerstars
sbg global
sportsbetting.com
sportsbook.com
SIA
Ultimate bet
microgaming.com

[FreeFall]

1st amendment won't let that happen maybe? Not sure how KY did it. Otherwise were no better than China...

[reno cool]

does not include any A rated books? Are only those included in danger?

[reno cool]

Originally Posted by FreeFall

1st amendment won't let that happen maybe? Not sure how KY did it. Otherwise were no better than China...

who said were better than China?

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by FreeFall

1st amendment won't let that happen maybe? Not sure how KY did it. Otherwise were no better than China...

It was that 49 million patent lawsuit judgment against Bodog that started the free fall sir (no pun intended).

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by reno cool

does not include any A rated books? Are only those included in danger?

I don't have the entire list sir, but I guess it's possible.

[FreeFall]

Originally Posted by reno cool

who said were better than China?

You ask any democrat in office if democracy is better than communism and let me know what answer you get

[MonkeyF0cker]

Fvck this. Who do these fvcking politicians and judges think they are? I'm so fvcking sick of the government thinking they have the right to babysit. Is anyone EVER gonna stand up to these pricks? Or are they just gonna keep destroying every freedom and right we have in this world until we're all little government pawns? Unbelievable.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Go thump your own Bible, Kentucky. Not mine.

[reno cool]

Originally Posted by FreeFall

You ask any democrat in office if democracy is better than communism and let me know what answer you get

huh?

Neither country has much to do with communism or democracy.

2. communism and democracy are not opposites.

communism is a political, social system like capitalism.

democracy is a measure of freedoms, rights, justice, equality and so forth in a particular system.

[reno cool]

Originally Posted by MonkeyF0cker

Go thump your own Bible, Kentucky. Not mine.

oh monkey

its not the bible, its the money (and control)

[wtf]

the hypocrisy of this is shocking, kentucky would shrivel up and die without GAMBLING, who would buy their largest export---RACE HORSES-- without gambling? this is a play to protect their industry. maybe they try to hide bible, but it is a cynical attempt. note their is a carve out in the online gaming laws for horse racing. which kentucky was lobbying for vehemently...