[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...

[Iwinyourmoney]

funny. Some judge wants to make a name for himself. He probably had a bad week. He prob took jets on the ml

[reno cool]

good point, its probably no coincidence that the Kentucky Derby state is first to do this. Maybe they should consider lowering their takeout and treating gamblers with respect. Then maybe their industry would be worth a shit.
Instead they will milk the race cow till all is gone and move on to ruin some other good thing.

[wtf]

i bet on that LIST you will not see youbet.com, xpressbet.com, all gambling sites, for horse racing. but to this judge horse racing is not gambling, he is much more intelligent than we are.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Originally Posted by reno cool

oh monkey

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

They could regulate and tax it if they chose to do so but there's no way the Republicans would ever go against their base and choose to since it would promote gaming in their eyes...

[accuscoresucks]

ultimate bet..lol
ky cant do shit nothing will happen they cant cross borders

[reno cool]

so do you think its a moral issue with them?

don't you think they would throw the bible in the toilet if they couldn't use it as justification for self serving agendas?

I don't know much about how they would tax and regulate it. As long as a powerful business interest can't make money off of it it wont happen. Furthermore, I don't think governments care about tax revenue.(look at war). They only care about distributing the money to their constituents ie--business.

[accuscoresucks]

10 years of shoot downs coming up
nothing will happen

[donjuan]

* The unregulated gaming lacks consumer protections to ensure that individuals who choose to gamble are actually paid for their winnings.

So maybe, just maybe you could f'ing regulate it and tax it? Nah, that would be too logical for these scumbags.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Originally Posted by reno cool

so do you think its a moral issue with them?

don't you think they would throw the bible in the toilet if they couldn't use it as justification for self serving agendas?

I don't know much about how they would tax and regulate it. As long as a powerful business interest can't make money off of it it wont happen. Furthermore, I don't think governments care about tax revenue.(look at war). They only care about distributing the money to their constituents ie--business.

It would certainly alienate the Republican's Christian base. The casinos here in Vegas were oddly unsupportive of the UIGEA. They would like for it to be legalized, taxed, and regulated. That way they would have the opportunity to open their own sites. They already have the software and servers in place to capitalize on such a move. The Coast casinos already provide website access for sports bettors with Nevada residency. It would add to their revenue stream and they already have the name recognition behind them to make them virtually instant moneymakers in the online industry.

[jjgold]

America Sucks Dick

[MonkeyF0cker]

And you're about to vote for the biggest proponent of this nonsense, jj...

[fiveteamer]

Kentucky is so ****ing backwards its not even funny.

FRANKFORT — Kentucky may consider raising taxes on betting to pay for improved racetrack and betting security and more drug testing.

Members of a subcommittee of Gov. Steve Beshear's task force on horse racing on Thursday discussed how to augment the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission budget.

Among the ideas:

■ Increasing the "takeout," the percentage of money not returned to pari-mutuel bettors, and dedicating the gains to the KHRC.

■ Charging a "per start" fee on horses to help pay for increased drug testing.

■ Licensing, for a fee, pari-mutuel or "tote" companies that operate in the state.

■ Taxing bets placed through advance-deposit wagering platforms.

■ Seizing the money bettors don't claim on wagering vouchers and refunds.

■ Increasing assessments paid by racetracks;

■ Dedicating to the KHRC about $1 million in sales taxes paid from "claiming" horses, which are sold in races.

A commission analysis found that less than half a million dollars of the $13.3 million generated by pari-mutuel taxes goes to racing regulation.

The commission is also funded by licensing fees, racetrack assessments and fines, but is facing a $2 million shortfall over the next two budget years, according to Lisa Underwood, KHRC executive director. It's also asking for at least eight more full-time staffers in addition to its 23.

Ed Martin, executive director of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, told the panel that Kentucky spends far less than other racing states on regulation. Kentucky spends about $7,500 per racing day, while New York spends more than $10,000 and Florida spends more than $15,000.

Committee member Nick Nicholson, president of Keeneland, said the under-funding of the commission is "unacceptable."

"We in private industry have to be ready to look at all the options," he said.

Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Bob Vance said the task force has to look beyond the current budget climate, and to do that the commission will need a fixed funding source.

Underwood said she and others have met with the Council of State Governments to explore the possibilities of an interstate compact with other racing states to pool resources.

The full task force is scheduled to meet on Sept. 30. Its report to Beshear is due by Dec. 1.
Reach Janet Patton at (859) 231-3264 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3264.


Oh, they don't mind raising the takeout and taxing the gamblers that way...

[Tosser]

People who vote for Bushs and McCains deserve this bullshit

[Helmut]

Just keep on voting for those GOP thugs.

[michael777]

Originally Posted by Tosser

People who vote for Bushs and McCains deserve this bullshit

Governor Beshear is a democrat

[ms61853]

Originally Posted by michael777

Governor Beshear is a democrat

There's never been any logic associated with Bush Derangement Syndrome.

[WileOut]

Originally Posted by reno cool

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

Included in the list are Bookmaker and WSEX.

[JoshW]

I doubt more than an handful of these domain names were actually registered in the US. If they aren't run by a US company, I don't see any way this gets inforced. If the domain was registered outside the US and the servers are outside the US, they don't have any shot at "controlling" these domain names. I doubt they can get even local internet providers to block them for local residents.

[louisvillekid]

Ed Martin, executive director of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, told the panel that Kentucky spends far less than other racing states on regulation. Kentucky spends about $7,500 per racing day, while New York spends more than $10,000 and Florida spends more than $15,000

well lets think about this, gee, i think Ky. has about 4 million people vs. the 20 million in just NYC alone, and the 25 million in Florida.

as mentioned above, this bullshit is all about protecting the precious ponies , everything is always about the ponies. When Indiana first started putting the riverboats on the Ohio River, Ky. was fighting those. Ky. claims to own 3/4 of the Ohio River, whenever you cross bridges into In. you don't see "Welcome to Indiana" until you are almost across the bridge, but when you come from the In. side and cross the bridges it says "Welcome to Kentucky" as soon as you're at the beginning of the bridge. When Horseshoe(formally Caesars) Indiana first put in their big gambling boat across from Louisville, Ky. was claiming some shit about it couldn't tread in Ky. waters. It was funny cause the boat used to have so-called cruises and would have loading and unloading every 2 hours, but the boat didn't really cruise the Ohio river, it is just on a track and rides like 10-15 feet off shore and rides the shoreline a few hundred feet and comes back, well actually it don't cruise at all anymore, it is docked all the time and people can come and go anytime.
Also when Louisville first started the smoking ban, Churchill Downs was exempt, and that caused alot of hoopla with bars and strip clubs, etc. with their lawyers arguing why Churchill was so special to not be included in the ban.

I like how they always have to use the children as in excuse. Every porn site you visit, hell ,even just the sites that have random crazy and weird stuff ,all of them usually have links at the bottom of the page about how you can prevent minors from accessing their site and tell you about programs and whatnot. But I guess that would be to hard to put the blame on parents , most parents just buy a computer for their kid and that's it, they don't set it up and make themselves the master of it, and have the main password, and set up what content is allowed and/or sites.

I guess if Ky. actually gets away with this and can enforce it, i'll just be using my locals even more, or i'll just have to start phoning it in, or maybe even use a proxy to access my sites if Ky. actually can get internet provides to block my access to sites.