PPA Responds To Kentucky Seizure Order 

In America, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) grassroots poker organisation has issued a statement regarding last week’s decision by a court in Kentucky to issue seizure orders on domain names specialising in gambling.

The PPA is a leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members across the US including over 13,000 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. John Pappas, Executive Director for the PPA, reacted to a decision by the Franklin County Circuit Court to order of seizure of 141 Internet domain names including AbsolutePoker.com, BodogLife.com, DoylesRoom.com, FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com.

'The PPA is outraged at the actions taken by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and the Franklin County Circuit Court to seize the domain names of Internet gambling websites,” said Pappas.

“We believe this action not only unduly restricts the freedom of Kentucky residents to play games of skill such as poker online but sets a precedent for censorship of the Internet by force.

'Many of Governor Beshear's arguments, that online poker is illegal, unregulated and without a mechanism to capture tax revenues, are false. Online poker is not illegal under Kentucky law, is regulated in its home jurisdiction and the Commonwealth of Kentucky chose not to license and regulate poker websites.

'If the Governor truly wants to implement tighter regulations, taxation mechanisms and consumer protections on Internet gambling, the PPA suggests he publicly support Federal legislation by US House of Representatives Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, HR 2460, which would achieve those goals.

'Poker is a game of skill, a true American pastime and has a proud heritage in Kentucky. Simply because the game has evolved into the 21st Century, it should not be treated as suspect activity. Forcefully and secretly seizing control of websites that offer online poker games is not a sound public policy or a sound legal solution.'