Online Gambling Domain Name Case In Kentucky Put Off For A Week

The state of Kentucky has filed a lawsuit trying to gain control of over 140 online gambling domain names. On Friday, the judge in the case told Kentucky lawyers, as well as the swarm of lawyers from the 141 websites, to slow down.

Many Internet companies, whether involved in casino gambling or other industries, were eagerly awaiting a ruling from Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate. The ruling, however, did not come. Instead, the judge warned all parties involved about the complexity of the case.

A case such as this, with as much precedent as can be set with the ruling, is not one that is cut and dry. There are many areas that need to be examined before a ruling can be made.

Judge Wingate gave attorneys for the 141 sites seven days to file legal briefs. After that week another hearing will be held.

Though the case has not officially been ruled on, some online casino companies have already begun to block Kentuckians from their websites. That is according to Kentucky Justice Cabinet Spokeswoman, Jennifer Brislin.

After much press that Kentucky, through Beshear's action, was being seen as an oppressive regime such as those run in China and Iran, Brislin stated today that the state's intentions was not to take entire companies, but rather to keep the state's citizens from accessing those sites they claim are illegal.

Other businesses outside of the online casino world are also interested in the outcome of the case. If Kentucky gains the rights to the domain names, then nothing will be stopping states from going after the domain names of companies in all kinds of industries on the Internet.

Earlier in the day it was reported that a settlement was being negotiated between the state and the online casino companies. There has been no movement on those negotiations and with an additional week, it gives both sides time to consider whether they want to pursue a settlement on such a landmark case.

September 26, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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