Kentucky Seizes 141 Gambling Domains

[Kenny]

http://www.thedomains.com/2008/09/22/kentucky-seizes-gambling-domains/

The domains seized include: (the full list is on the adobe file)

fulltiltpoker.com
indiancasino.com
bet21.com
allslots.com
bodoglife.com
bookmaker.com
SportsBook.com
SportsBetting.com
superslots.com
pokerstars.com
doylesroom.com
GoldenPalace.com

From the comments:

Rick Schwartz // Sep 22, 2008 at 3:20 pm

I own IndianCasino.com for a long time. I got word late last week and initially thought it was a joke. I was given no notice of any investigation or any indication of a problem. I still have the domain name and the last time I looked there is this thing called DUE PROCESS. So we have to see where this goes but it is scary if ANY GOVERNMENT in any jurisdiction in the world could just seize your domains.

My gut reaction is that the state is overreaching and in time they will withdraw their complaint. There is a program in process for disputes and just because they are a state does not allow them to ignore that process.

 

[mwzd]

Wow. I wonder how long before this thinking stretches to any domain whose opinion they dont agree with...

Govts all over the world have been trying to muzzle people online, now kentucky can join their erstwhile allies in this field - china.

I think Rick isn't bothered as he's probably got a group of attorneys salivating at punitive damages the state might have to pay for this move.

 

[Eric]

hey hey hey now, don't compare us to China. :p Although I agree in a way.

This is terrible. Just think if they are somehow able to pull this off... my gawd.

 

[Marck]

Wow those are some huge sites and names.

 

[duceman]

Obviously this is someone/entity that doesn't have a clue.

 

[Traveler]

I guess it is because I am not a lawyer but I don't see how this makes any legal sense at all. I just thought the US Federal government was out of control, now states too? Welcome to fascist America.

 

[Kate]

Anything goes in the land of the not so free

 

[Traveler]

Anything goes in the land of the not so free

Like Rick Shwartz said "DUE PROCESS". It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

 

[notlikeyou]

I would love to hear thoughts from:

Dave Zan
labrocca
J Berryhill

Someone turn on the Bat Signal!

 

[labrocca]

In no way is this going to fly. Any one of those big sites are going to demolish this with legal action. IMHO whoever thought this up should be fired or resign IMMEDIATELY.

I am looking over the order of seizure now.

It states the domains are "used to promote, conduct, and/or advance illegal gambling" which actually might be true. However what jurisdiction does Kentucky have here? Is the registrar in Kentucky? Is the domain owner in Kentucky? Does the business target residents of Kentucky? Where are the servers located?

Also notice how many times they describe this is "property". Another serious reason NOT to pursue that course with domains. Domains as property is very dangerous.

There is not court date listed either. It's blank.

Defendants should seek immediate injunction from a federal court.

This type of situation really needs lawyers to speak about this. It's a new situation for me..as probably for most domain lawyers but at least they went to law school. My gut reaction is similar to Schwartz.

I will add that I can easily see the dangers of owning these gambling domains. I also have a sneaking suspicion there is more to this than what we see. I wonder what the state would do with any domains it does seize. Don't they auction off "property" in closed bids? Hmm...could be some corrupted back end deals going on here. When did the state of Kentucky decide this was a good way to spend taxpayer money.

Incredible. It's going to be interesting watching this unfold.

 

[maxeaus]

"Reports from the Kentucky Post and Associated Press are appearing widely concerning a new anti-online gambling strategy currently being deployed by Kentucky governor Steve Beshear and his officials.

Whilst Beshear is vehemently anti-Internet gambling, his state is among the most famous for horse racing, currently protected from Internet gambling bans by a notorious legislative carve-out in US federal laws"

What a complete load of hypocrital crap. This type of garbage by legistlators goes on in Australia also, with governments that are addicted to gambling revenue derived in their states and territories loath to see people gambling at online sites they have no tax or revenue control over.

These greedy pigs are trying to prevent anyone from gambling where they like, in order for people to only gamble where the government wants, and recieves lucrative tax benefits. The fact that gaming services offerred under these governments and their cronies is 3rd rate services and value, means nothing, they treat people as mug punters.

Government gone crazy......yet again.

 

[Kate]

governments that are addicted to gambling revenue derived in their states and territories loath to see people gambling at online sites they have no tax or revenue control over.

These greedy pigs are trying to prevent anyone from gambling where they like, in order for people to only gamble where the government wants, and recieves lucrative tax benefits.

You framed it.

 

[barefoottech]

"Reports from the Kentucky Post and Associated Press are appearing widely concerning a new anti-online gambling strategy currently being deployed by Kentucky governor Steve Beshear and his officials.

Whilst Beshear is vehemently anti-Internet gambling, his state is among the most famous for horse racing, currently protected from Internet gambling bans by a notorious legislative carve-out in US federal laws"

What a complete load of hypocrital crap. This type of garbage by legistlators goes on in Australia also, with governments that are addicted to gambling revenue derived in their states and territories loath to see people gambling at online sites they have no tax or revenue control over.

These greedy pigs are trying to prevent anyone from gambling where they like, in order for people to only gamble where the government wants, and recieves lucrative tax benefits. The fact that gaming services offerred under these governments and their cronies is 3rd rate services and value, means nothing, they treat people as mug punters.

Government gone crazy......yet again.

Yes , Exactly

The Australian state of Queensland once had a similiar situation. The government Gambling Minister would publish absolute garbage about the evils of using POKER (Slot) machines which were at the time banned , but at the same time financing with government grants the Horse Racing Industry.

 

[useless]

i agree american government has lost it ....

 

[Marck]

i agree american government has lost it ....

This is the Kentucky government the American government has nothing to do with it.

 

[duceman]

As I stated earlier, I'm sure that whom ever filed this doesn't have a clue.

The commonwealth of Kentucky sure doesn't have the funds to get in a pissing war with companies with 7 and 8 digit legal budgets.

 

[nirv]

Agree with above, although they have managed to take over two gambling names in the past the ones they're going after now is simply ridiculous. Kentucky Gov. should feel a little silly right now.

 

[Dave_Z]

I guess it is because I am not a lawyer but I don't see how this makes any legal sense at all.

Not a liar...err, lawyer either, but it looks like the Kentucky Commonwealth has
secured a court order in rem, meaning for a thing rather than a person:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_rem

No wonder Rick never received notice about it. But knowing him, he isn't going
to let this go without a fight.

It's one of those unfortunate, somewhat unavoidable risks. However, doesn't
Rick have his own registrar, or surely he can finally afford one?

 

[JMJ]

It doesn't really matter where your registrar is located when the core registry is US based.

 

[bobbie]

Geeesh ... those are huge companies. I was just looking for some sports betting domains but didn't find anything interesting. Guess it was fate