Gambling911.com has learned that effective Monday, Microgaming - a leading software provider for online casinos and poker sites based in South Africa and the Isle of Man - will begin blocking all US-based traffic.  The commonwealth of Kentucky has listed Microgaming among its web domain names to forfeit later this month.

Microgaming Software Systems Ltd has been a leading software providers to the online gambling industry, with just under 100 casinos listed on its website. Online casino operators such as the Carmen Media Group, Fortune Lounge Group, Ladbrokes, 32Red, Fairground Gaming, Vegas Partner Lounge and Golden Star Lounge are among those who use Microgaming's software.

Microgaming also has an online poker subsidiary called Microgaming Poker, which is the network used by Doyles Room.   Doyles Room's domain registrant, GoDaddy.com, already announced it had turned over the website's operating certificate to the commonwealth of Kentucky. 

The state of Kentucky claims that several dozen online gambling websites have cut into their economic well being and will hold a forfeiture hearing in two weeks.  Original reports suggested that Microgaming would only block Kentucky residents, however, the degree of difficulty in blocking a single state within a country appears too overwhelming for the firm. 

There were no immediate indications that Microgaming would require its actual licensees to block US traffic as of press time. 

Many Microgaming licensed companies restrict individuals from playing for real cash originating from certain states, however, the actual websites are not blocked. 

China, Singapore and some Arab countries engage in similar blocking efforts and Australia is looking to follow suit.

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher