Kentucky Governor trying to *steal* 140 Gambling Domain Names

[screamingmimi04]

I've found some updated news about Kentucky's efforts to seize the domain names of the online casinos.

The first information that I found states that DoylesRoom.com is the latest victim of Beshear's underhanded tactics. GoDaddy.com, is one of the largest registrars in the world, and has turned over the domain name of DoylesRoom.com as well as 3 others.

Beshear is claiming that the sites are "leeches on our communities" which are hurting Kentucky's horse racing industry. This though Kentucky does allow gambling on horse racing, bingo, and has a state lottery. He also tried, but was unsuccessful in getting the General Assembly to put an amendment before the voters which would legalize casino gambling as a way to raise revenue for the state.

Six groups were represented in a gathering yesterday at a summit in Frankfort for the disussion of the complexities of this attemp to stifle online gambling.

A Franklin Circuit Court judge began sorting through all the legal arguments on this case this morning.

[beaston]

Originally Posted by screamingmimi04

I've found some updated news about Kentucky's efforts to seize the domain names of the online casinos.

The first information that I found states that DoylesRoom.com is the latest victim of Beshear's underhanded tactics. GoDaddy.com, is one of the largest registrars in the world, and has turned over the domain name of DoylesRoom.com as well as 3 others.

Beshear is claiming that the sites are "leeches on our communities" which are hurting Kentucky's horse racing industry. This though Kentucky does allow gambling on horse racing, bingo, and has a state lottery. He also tried, but was unsuccessful in getting the General Assembly to put an amendment before the voters which would legalize casino gambling as a way to raise revenue for the state.

Six groups were represented in a gathering yesterday at a summit in Frankfort for the disussion of the complexities of this attemp to stifle online gambling.

A Franklin Circuit Court judge began sorting through all the legal arguments on this case this morning.

Sorry, but gambling911 is full of it. It seems that when they can't find any *new* news, they make it up as they go along. Doyles room, cake poker and other domains listed in that "article" are safe and sound with their rightful owners.

Registrant:
Bluerock Overseas
3100 Emancipatie Blvd
, 11111
Netherlands Antilles

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: DOYLESROOM.COM
Created on: 26-May-04
Expires on: 26-May-09
Last Updated on: 07-Feb-08

Administrative Contact:
Overseas, Bluerock tech@dbpn.com
3100 Emancipatie Blvd
, 11111
Netherlands Antilles
8887624192

Technical Contact:
, customerservice@networksolutions.com
Network Solutions, LLC.
13861 Sunrise Valley Drive
Herndon, Virginia 20171
United States
1-888-642-9675 Fax -- 571-434-4620

Domain servers in listed order:
UDNS1.ULTRADNS.NET
UDNS2.ULTRADNS.NET

As far as I know, there are no new developments in this case, other than that they're still in court as we speak.

[screamingmimi04]

I guess I should have made myself a bit clearer........the fact that the court hearing was to begin this morning was the actual update.... As soon as I can find anything about what transpired I'll post the information......unless someone else finds it first.

[beaston]

Originally Posted by screamingmimi04

I guess I should have made myself a bit clearer........the fact that the court hearing was to begin this morning was the actual update.... As soon as I can find anything about what transpired I'll post the information......unless someone else finds it first.

It's all good

I wish I lived closer, or I would have been at that court hearing today. I'm about a 10 hour drive from Frankfort.

Maybe if they have another hearing on this, I'll be able to make it out there and provide live updates. I know they don't allow cameras in the court room, but does anyone know if they allow laptops?

[beaston]

*Update*

It seems that they are now out of court for the day, and Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate will take his time to consider the arguments, and will give his final ruling within the next week or so.

[beaston]

Ok, finally, a good source for what transpired toady in court.

Forbes reports that the judge in this case, Thomas Wingate, "would hope to have a ruling by next week."

Some key points, for both sides, include:

"These domain names do not exist here," said Jerry Stouck, a Washington attorney representing the Interactive Gaming Council. "They can't be found in Kentucky and therefore they can't be seized here."

Attorneys for Kentucky have asked Judge Thomas Wingate to forfeit control to the state of 141 gambling related sites, some of the Internet's most popular. They claim the Web site names should be treated as illegal gambling devices and blocked from doing business in Kentucky.

Are they nuts? How in the !@#($ can a domain name be considered a "gambling device???"

Beshear, a Democrat, made his support for a constitutional amendment legalizing casino gambling a central focus of his campaign for governor last year.

Uhm.....like I said before: Beshear, you can't have your cake and eat it , too.

The governor tried and failed earlier this year to get the General Assembly to put a proposed amendment before voters.

Sounds to me that he's ticked off that he couldn't get [offline] gambling legalized, so he doesn't want anyone doing it online. But, think about this: Since he's attacking online gambling, calling online casinos "leeches on our communities," he's not going to have a leg to stand on if he ever wants to see offline gambling [non-lotto & horse racing] legalized.

I'm glad to see that KY locals are showing up in court to oppose governor Beshear.

Rob Slauenwhite, a 28-year-old Louisville resident, attended Tuesday's court proceedings wearing a shirt that advertised a Web site where he likes to play poker. Slauenwhite, who works two restaurant jobs and is studying for his master's degree, said he thinks the state is attempting to infringe on personal rights.

"It's just something I like to do in my home," Slauenwhite said, adding that he voted for Beshear because of his support for gambling. "I feel it's more of a state's invasion trying to take that away from me what I'm doing privately in my own home."

edit: So how many other people voted for Beshear because he supported gambling? Would he have ever gotten into office in the first place without those votes?

Still, we'll have to wait at least another week before a ruling is made.

Wingate said he would hope to have a ruling by next week.

[beaston]

Ok, the judge in this case is supposed to hand down the verdict today. I'll keep everyone updated.

GoDaddy is rolling over and playing ball with Kentucky. They've already issued "registrar certificates" for 20 of the 141 domains that are listed in the suit, which means that if the judge rules in Beshear's favor, these domains will be transferred over to Kentucky's control as soon as possible. Two of the most familiar names, DoylesRoom.com and UltimateBet.com are registered with GoDaddy.

However, Network Solutions, one of the nation's largest and oldest domain registrar's, sent a legal team to Kentucky last week to argue their case.

PokerStars and many other domains registered outside of the USA are simply ignoring Kentucky's request.

[beaston]

Still no word. I LOVE the reasons behind the delay.....hahaha

A computer malfunction has delayed the ruling by Judge Thomas Wingate over whether the southern American state of Kentucky has the right to seize 141 domain names associated with online gambling.

http://www.igamingbusiness.com/artic...rticleID=18841

[beaston]

KENTUCKY WINS. HEIL BESHEAR.

Judge allows gambling Web site case to proceed

Posted: Oct 16, 2025 04:24 PM

Updated: Oct 16, 2025 04:24 PM

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A Franklin County Circuit Court judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to block access to online casinos in Kentucky.

Judge Thomas Wingate said in an order Thursday afternoon that he will hear arguments on Nov. 17 before deciding whether to give Kentucky state government control of the domain names of 140 of the Internet's most popular gambling Web sites.

Wingate said online casinos that don't block access to their Web sites in Kentucky could be ordered to forfeit their domain names.

Gov. Steve Beshear's administration filed the lawsuit. Beshear supports legalizing casino gambling in a state that already allows betting on horse racing, bingo and a state lottery.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.as...8&nav=menu31_2

Censorship at its best. I think Kentucky has just opened Pandora's box with this ruling.

This should be appealed at the highest level, in the US Supreme Court. This is nothing less than being against our First Amendment Rights.

[beaston]

Well, it seems that the forfeiture hearing slated for December 3rd has been set back once again, and is now scheduled for December 12th.

The rescheduling hasn't came from Judge Wingate, but from the Court of Appeals of Kentucky, by request of the iMEGA.

iMEGA's case pretty much boils down to the fact that they, among others, believe that Kentucky has overstepped their bounds and has no jurisdiction in this matter, as well as believing that "the lower court misapplied Kentucky’s specific “gambling devices” law in order to provide a rationale for permitting the seizures."

On a more serious note, they also believe that "the lower court misapplied Kentucky’s specific “gambling devices” law in order to provide a rationale for permitting the seizures. iMEGA also argues that Kentucky’s actions violate the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution, and that Secretary Brown lacked the authority to initiate the seizure action in the first place."

Now, whether or not Judge Wingate actually listens to iMEGA's arguments, remains to be seen. All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope for the best!


Source: http://www.imega.org/2008/11/15/kent...main-seizures/