There may be some light at the end of the tunnel in
the Kentucky case against some 141 online gambling sites
after all. According to reports by the Interactive Media
Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA), who has been
tirelessly working to defend the rights of players and
casino operators, the Kentucky Court of Appeals has
granted a motion to stay the ruling by Judge Michael J.
Brown that would give Kentucky the right to seize 141
online gambling domain names and effectively put the
websites out of business.
If you may recall, Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear,
with the help of the State Secretary of Justice, began a
persecutory onslaught against internet betting
destinations doing business with Kentucky residents.
Outsourcing Chicago-based lawyers on an apparent "no
win, no pay" agreement, Governor Beshear has thus far
been successful in his campaign, which iMEGA and many
other activists view as a complete and misplaced abuse
of power that could set a dangerous precedent.
According to iMEGA Chairman, Joe Brennan Jr.,
Governor Beshear has exceeded his jurisdiction and is
only doing so for Kentucky's financial gain. If this
ruling was to stand (which Brennan is confident will be
reversed), any government, whether it be local or State,
foreign or domestic, could theoretically apply blackmail
techniques to achieve its own gains. Brennan used a
scenario of China seizing free media from reaching its
citizens as an example. And when you look at Kentucky's
argument and tactics in the case (applying and
interpreting a definition of "illegal gambling devices"
to include domain names), the China analogy is not far
off at all.
Perhaps this is why the Court of Appeals has granted
iMEGA the opportunity to challenge Judge Brown's ruling.
Now, instead of a forfeiture hearing scheduled for
December 3, 2008, a hearing on December 12th will be
held in which iMEGA will be given the floor to advance
their petition.
Seed
Newsvine