Kentucky, Other State Poker Players Urged to Show up at Forum Monday
The powerful million plus member Poker Players Alliance claims to have thousands of members residing in the great state of Kentucky. That organization has been aggressively reaching out to said members over an "online poker domain seizure" case brought on by the commonwealth's Governor Steve Beshear. Now they want these individuals to crowd a media forum this Monday to voice their outrage or to simply offer support for the burgeoning online poker industry.
You know the saying: There's power in numbers.
The Bluegrass Institute, along with several other state and national groups who oppose Kentucky's recent seizure of 141 Web site domain names, is calling an emergency summit in Frankfort to discuss the dangerous and far-reaching implications of the state's action.
The summit, which takes place on Monday, Oct. 6, will feature an expert panel discussing several of the most pertinent issues involved.
Does Kentucky have jurisdiction to seize these domain names? What are the national and international ramifications should Kentucky succeed in this seizure order? What threat does this action make to the future of internet freedom and technological innovation? Do domain names fit the Kentucky statutorily definition of a gambling device?
The timing of this summit is critical as the next legal hearing on the state's seizure of the domain names is set to take place the following morning, Oct. 7, before the Franklin County Circuit Court, a release by the PPA emphasized.
"While the primary focus of the state's action is online poker, the ramifications extend much farther into the entire realm of online commerce. This is a matter of the gravest importance, and the Bluegrass Institute is urging anyone with an interest in protecting internet freedom to join the protest against this egregious action."
The summit will be held at the Capital Plaza Hotel-Frankfort, 405 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY beginning at 1 pm local time and is expected to last until 4 pm, though PPA members and other interested parties are encouraged to at least make an appearance the first hour.
Those appearing at the forum include: Bluegrass Institute (host), The Poker Players Alliance, Internet Commerce Association, Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association and Americans for Tax Reform.
And it's not just Kentucky residents that should plan on attending. Frankfort, Kentucky is an easy drive from the Ohio cities of Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus as well as Indianapolis (110 miles), and if you want to get a little adventurous - Nashville is under 3 hours driving distance. Just make sure you have your tank full as Tennessee currently has a gas shortage.
Gambling911.com will have reporters on hand covering the event live throughout Monday afternoon.
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Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com Senior Editor
