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Find out more about Mike: Michael Francis has spent a lot of time covering and playing games while not studying at Georgia State University, where he is pursuing a MBA in Information Services & Technology. He is still an avid gamer and also travels to review casinos and other developments in the world of gaming. |
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has been attempting to ban online poker domains within the state's borders. Gov. Steve Bashear has attempted to block access for 141 different gaming sites.
The most well known of the sites are Doyle's Room, Cake Poker, and Ultimate Bet. The state of Kentucky has requested that control of the domains of these sites should be turned over to state regulators - an action which is being fought in court proceedings this week.
Arguments were made today regarding the legality and validity of the Governor's actions. The attorney for Kentucky made the false claim that online gambling is illegal per the Federal government, which is untrue - only specific financial transactions are illegal per the UIGEA, not online gambling itself.
A decision on the matter should be expected within a week. In the meantime, the domains are still active. This begs the question, though - if the state can decide what can or can't be accessed by its citizens, are we beginning down a very slippery slope towards further censorship and curtailment of American freedoms and rights?
Given the fact that most gaming sites are also located outside of the United States, there is also the question of jurisdiction and whether the state would have any right to enforce such actions, should the courts agree with Gov. Bashear.
Many groups are gathering in opposition to fight this state seizure, including the Poker Players Alliance and the Americans for Tax Reform. Most of these groups favor legalization and regulation of the industry, including taxing the sites and players for doing business in the United States with American citizens.
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