PPA Butting Heads With The State of Kentucky.

Poker Players Alliance Makes Stand Against Governor Beshear.

The Kentucky government is in for quite a fight this week over its plan to take control of 141 of the biggest online gambling domain names in the world. The suit, which was filed by lawyers representing the “Bluegrass State” just several days ago, states that they wish to not just ban online gambling within their jurisdiction, but they also want to have the domains transferred over into their possession to be sure they get their wishes. The plan has been met with a ton of resistance by many pro-gaming advocates, none of which get any bigger than the Poker Players Alliance.

According to a newly-rising poker news outlet, the PPA had filed an Amicus Brief (known as “Friends of the Court” in simpler terms) on Friday to let their own case be known that the order put forth by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear is beyond its jurisdictions and absolutely unenforceable. The order that was put into motion by the PPA says that domain name disputes go much broader than what state law can possibly enforce, and that online gambling companies that aren’t ran within those state lines aren’t subject to mediation by any local U.S. judge.

There has been no clear-cut decision yet in the case, and it is uncertain when they’re might be one. However, any verdict that might allow such big websites as PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker to relinquish their domain names could set a HUGE precedent down the line when it comes online poker regulation. If a state government can stick their noses into something that isn’t even operated in their own state, let alone their own country, then who’s to say that other states won’t follow suit?

The situation, albeit a very young one, is already causing quite a buzz in the industry, and it is something we here at Gambling101.org will be following very closely over the next few days.