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A Kentucky judge ruled Thursday that 141 online gambling domain names are to be seized on November 17 unless owners of the cited domains show up in a Frankfort, Kentucky circuit court to demonstrate that they have blocked commonwealth residents from accessing their respective websites.
Easier said than done. The majority of online gambling website owners now refuse to enter US soil, fearful of arrest following a series of high profile indictments against colleagues such as BetonSports former CEO, David Carruthers, and two co-founders of online payment solutions firm, Neteller. The state of Louisiana issued a search warrant for Peter Dicks, a chairperson on the board of Sportingbet, and there are believed to be another dozen unsealed arrest warrants originating from that state against web gaming operators.
The Kahnawake Mohawks outside of Quebec, Canada, have already issued a harsh response against Kentucky. Kahnawake, a sovereign tribe, could show up on behalf of UltimateBet Poker. The licensing agency claims to control that website. Likewise, BodogLife.com has also been transferred to Kahnawake authority. Any attempts to arrest officials from a sovereign Indian tribe could have unthinkable ramifications for the state of Kentucky.
"This is a perfect example of someone who knows nothing about the effects of their actions," said Grand Chief Delisle, "It's not the first time that a government has tried to prevent us from conducting business and it won't be the last. But, rest assured, we will always protect our jurisdiction and the integrity of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission."
Attorneys for some of the 141 websites were determining if they will be filing an appeal in this matter.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
