Kentucky can become a major obstacle for online gambling

The state of Kentucky is about to become the latest, and probably the biggest obstacle for sportsbetting and gambling sites operating online, according to several media sources, Gov. Steve Beshear is trying to block over 140 online gambling sites from taking bets on horse races held in Kentucky. But that’s not it, Gov. Steve Beshear has taken thing far beyond and is asking Franklin County Circuit Court judge to give the state of Kentucky full control over 141 domain names related to online gaming sites. According to the Governor, the plan also include a restriction for Kentucky residents to keep them from accessing gambling sites including several big online gaming operators currently taking U.S customers.

"Unlike casinos that operate on land or on riverboats in the United States, these operations pay no tax revenues, provide no jobs and yield no tourism benefits. They are leeches on our communities. Such sites siphon off money from regulated and legal games such as Kentucky's thoroughbred racing industry, our lottery and charitable gaming activities. Blocking internet gambling sites in Kentucky would protect Kentucky’s signature industry." Beshear said during a press conference

A court audience and examination will take place next Thursday before Judge Thomas Wingate, according to Justice Secretary J. Michael Brown, the state of Kentucky will ask the court to give the state full control over the domain names used by the gaming operators. Brown said if successful, the domain names will be passed to Kentucky’s state government and consequently blocked.

"There is gambling going on on the Internet and we know that that gambling is illegal in the commonwealth of Kentucky," Brown said.

Previously, Gov. Beshear tried to push a modification in the state’s constitution that would legalize casino gambling in Kentucky claiming that casino gambling could generate about $500 million per year that could be used to fund education or health care programs, however, Beshear’s plan failed to persuade Kentucky lawmakers and the amendment was simply filed with a bunch of other projects.

In response, Poker Players Alliance executive director, John Pappas released a statement in where he calls Gov Beshear’s decision "extraordinary and ill-conceived." Pappas also said that online poker does not infringe any state or federal laws, sating that "Poker has a proud heritage in Kentucky and simply because the game has evolved into the 21st Century, it should not be treated as suspect activity."