Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky had his plans of seizing the domain names of 141 internet gambling sites cut short, after an Appeals Court ruled that he was not entitled to do so.
The court overturned the decision of a lower court which ruled that domains could be considered gambling devices and could thus be seized by the state. “It stretches credulity to conclude that a series of numbers, or Internet addresses, can be said to constitute a 'machine or any mechanical or other device…designed and manufactured primarily for use in connection with gambling,” wrote Judge Michelle Keller.
“This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker,” said John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance. “We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate's earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort.”