Written by :
Published on :
An effort by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to eradicate the online gambling and poker industry in his state by seizing some 141 related domain names, including most of the top Internet poker rooms, might not help him to get elected for another term. Fortunately, Beshear has three more years left. Unfortunately, his attempts (whether successful or not) have already left their mark and won't be forgotten by the poker playing community residing in Kentucky.
The powerful Poker Players Alliance claims 16,000 members in Kentucky alone.
Rich Muny, Kentucky State Director of the PPA, told Gambling911.com that the commonwealth is actually the unofficial base of the Poker Players Alliance since a rather large number of its members reside there. The ratio of poker players to state population is certainly the highest in the nation.
"We're going to fight this one strongly," said Rich Muny, president of the Kentucky chapter of the Poker Players Alliance. "I supported Governor Beshear and even donated to his campaign. The PPA was neutral regarding Beshear wanting casinos in the state. Now we will oppose him and ensure it doesn't happen."
Twenty years after a failed run for governor, Democrat Steve Beshear capped a political comeback with a lopsided victory over Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a Republican weakened by a damaging hiring scandal.
"People were ready for a change," Beshear said following his win last year. "They were, I think, fed up with what's gone on the last four years."
Beshear perhaps may have underestimated the support for online gambling and poker in particular. The local media has thus far been easy on Beshear, though they haven't exactly painted him as a pillar of the legislative process either.
Lawyers representing the industry on Tuesday argued before a Franklin County circuit judge that Beshear had failed to file this action through the proper legislative channels.
"This is the strangest case I have ever seen in my life," said 83-year old Frankfort defense attorney Bill Johnson, who said he is representing seven of the 141 domain names. "The (Kentucky) legislature was not given the right to review this matter."
A decision in this matter is expected to be rendered no later than Wednesday.
----
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
