Should Individual States Be Allowed To Block Online Gambling?

Here is an example of what one state is trying to do.

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday on whether the Common Wealth of Kentucky has the power to seize 141 domains belonging to online gambling sites.

Previously a Franklin Circuit Court Judge ruled for the state saying it was allowed to seize the domain names, but the Court of Appeals overturned that decision. The case was then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Jon L. Fleischaker, attorney for the Interactive Media Entertainment &Gaming Association (iMEGA) called the efforts by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to block the state residents' use of Internet gambling websites "intellectually dishonest."

"They made up a process that is totally lacking in due process," Fleischaker said during arguments before the Supreme Court.

Fleischaker, along with attorneys representing Sportsbook.com and the Interactive Gaming Council, asked the Supreme Court to uphold an earlier decision by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, blocking the seizure of 141 domain names belonging to online gambling sites.

In a 2-to-1 decision, the Appeals Court in January rejected the governor's claim that Kentucky players and the Internet gambling sites had violated state law. The decision also held that a lower court had erred when it applied the state's "gambling devices" statute to justify the seizure of the Internet domain names.


"[I]t stretches credulity to conclude that a series of numbers, or Internet address, can be said to constitute a "machine or any mechanical or other devicedesigned and manufactured primarily for use in connection with gambling," Judge Michelle M. Keller wrote in her majority opinion.

A decision is not expected before the end of the year.

Tony

we as gamblers don't want it of course, but when the law went into effect to stop US from internet gambling, we really lost all rights.

they can block us in anyway they see fit the way i see it. 

i definately don't think they should..but they can.

Ditto

As long as things stay nebulous, that is good for we online gamblers.  The online casinos are very, very good at getting around red tape which benefits us.  But, ultimately, the government should stay out of things like this.

I get sick & tired of do-gooders who want 2 dictate how I should spend MY money............ if I want 2 throw it away at on-line casinos, or land casinos 4 that matter, it's MY choice.  Same thing w/ booze, cigarettes, etc. If I want 2 drink myself 2 death, I'll drink myself 2 death ( although I guess this argument doesn't apply b/c I'm a recovering alcoholic!); and if I want 2 blow my money gambling I should b able 2 do so w/o fear of government/ goody-goody interference.
Sorry 4 the rant, but I get very passionate about this stuff.......... we have so many other pressing issues going on in the world that the government should b concerned about, whether we gamble or not SHOULDN'T b 1 of them!!

tinmanfan...the government REALLY doesn't give two sh*ts if you gamble online or not, they just want control of you.  or moreover...a piece of you (taxes)

once they get that, then you can gamble till your hearts content, and they could care less.  as long as you pay uncle
sam  :-X

Oh I know!  I just get fired up about it! I was on a definite rant!!!! Seems we can't do anything w/o the government getting their grubby fingers on it!!

Tinmanfan..........Once Obama sniffs out online gambling he will certainly come after his cut to fund his trillions of barrowed spending. 

I am a restricted state...........and i say NO NO NO!!!

Lips

that's cool...that's what i love about this place! lot of fire!
i have worked for the government for years...they don't even allow me to gamble with my job, yet i can see them taking my money on the other hand without anyproblem...i have a lot of ranting on this subject myself, but i am at work right now, so i am going to keep it quiet...

I see it as "Selfish" and VERY "Hypocritical" of states to say "You cannot gamble online, but you can BUY our lottery tickets and gamble in the casinos."

Hopefully this will change in the next 2 years.

Sorry Doc, I'm not touching this one, as I am an Obama supporter thru & thru.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, a VERY good point........... I never thought of it that way!!

Tinmanfan......Well, you like Obama, and I think he is a disaster.  But...hey, we love the art of gaming, so we are family! 

I am with ya!:)

and most families suck..so we are right on target

Sounds good 2 me Doc   I can respect our differences in opinion....... that's what makes people interesting  

LOL