Kentucky Governor Trying To Take Over Domain Names of Gambling Sites

[Steve Bourie]

According to an Associated Press story today , the Governor of Kentucky is using the state's court system to grant him control over domain names of various gambling sites.

He has already taken over control of two sites and is seeking control of a total of 140.

The Governor claims that these sites are hurting the gambling industry in Kentucky.

I don't understand, however, how he can be granted control, over sites that operate legally in another country and offer their services legally to residents of other countries.

If he can do this, then what is to prevent anyone in any country in the world from getting a court order to take over a web site that they don't like.

If a Mullah in Iran doesn't like alcohol, can he get an order from that country's court to take over the domain name - budweiser.com?

Does thiis make any sense?

Read the story here - http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/...ap5458185.html

[RenoPlayer]

There may be a reason but to me appears to be a political move that doesn't have any end result.

I can't imagine that he can make it more illegal than it is. How could he possibly control what someone in Kentucky does.

If I have my cell phone and use it for an internet connection with my laptop while I'm driving through the state, I suppose the state could make it illegal for me to do something on the internet but they couldn't really keep me from it.

As with some other activities of government recently, I don't see the point.

RP

[Ben Jammin]

Seems like there's a nut job in every capitol city lately.

Must be the nuclear testing done in the 50's

[RenoPlayer]

Read another article that was a little clearer. He's trying to block Kentucky residents from accessing iternet sites.

Very possible. Access to certain sites are blocked by state. That blocking is done by the website.

I suspect that the governor believes that if he blocks Kentucky residents who will become gambling - starved, they will pass his casino legistlation when it comes up on the ballot. Maybe he is right.

RP

[Steve Bourie]

Here's the latest update on that story - http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs....0103/809260404

[Steve Bourie]

It looks like the judge has some common sense!

Stephenie Steitzer, Louisville Courier-Journal - A judge yesterday declined to order 141 gambling Web sites forfeited to the state, saying he needed more time to understand the complexities of what experts call an unprecedented effort to crack down on illegal Internet gambling. Instead, Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ordered attorneys representing both sides to file briefs on some of the issues and scheduled a hearing for Oct. 7. "This is the strangest case I have ever seen in my life," said Frankfort defense attorney Bill Johnson, who said he is representing seven of the 141 domain names.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080927/NEWS01/809270438

[RGMDC]

Well i am not sure if this had anything to do with the domain names, but the last of the online casinos that we played on blocked off all kentucky accounts. No more playing even for fun.