Kentucky Seizure Of Illegal Online Gambling Domains Frozen

September 29, 2008

A Kentucky court in Frankfort held another hearing Friday, September 26, that resulted in freezing the previous court ruling which called for 141 online gambling domains to be seized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky due to illegal online gambling operations. This most recent hearing is considered a major, if not temporary, victory for pro-gambling advocates.

 

According to a press release from the Kentucky governor’s office, one online gambling operator with at least two domains on the list of 141 has already succumb to the initial order for seizure, but the remaining domain owners are not willing to hand over their assets so easily.

 

Circuit judge Thomas Wingate heard the defense statements on Friday of multiple counsels defending the interest of online poker and online gambling operators. Judge Wingate agreed that the defense would need time to prepare legal briefs in the case, granting a continuance. The previous ruling has been frozen, and the hearing will resume in early October, on the 6th or 7th of the month.

 

Though Wingate was not pleased that attorneys for the defendants would not reveal the names of corporations or owners of the domains in questions, he did describe the case as “very complex” when calling for a continuance. The judge reiterated to the defense that he is not lifting the order for seizure, stating this is only a temporary freeze, and that “You are going to have to eventually pony up and say who these people are.”

 

The PPA (Poker Players Alliance) and iMEGA (Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association) each file “friend of the court” briefs in the case that advised judge Wingate of related difficulties concerning the way the case had been filed up to this point.

 

Executive Director of the PPA, John Pappas commented after Friday’s hearing. “The Poker Players Alliance is pleased that the court decided to allow for a full review of this case, including arguments from both sides. Until this point, the state and its hired gun class-action attorneys have acted in an ex parte fashion – only presenting one side of the argument to the court. The continuance granted today will ensure all the cards are on the table and allow the current owners of the domain names of the 141 websites to retain ownership in the interim.

 

“The PPA believes that a thorough review of the facts of the case will result in a favorable outcome for the thousands of Kentucky residents who play online poker.”

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    Amateur Paul Featherstone gets his shot against 5 of his favorite pros

    September 28, 2008

    Poker After Dark: Dream Match II Airs on 9/29
    Amateur Paul Featherstone gets his shot against 5 of his favorite pros

    NBC’s Poker After Dark brings viewers another match this week that most fans would give their eye teeth to play in, as 25 year-old amateur Paul Featherstone from Woodland, CA butts heads with five of his favorite players in Dream Match II. The players Paul selected are Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Sexton, Jennifer Harman, and Gavin Smith. Paul won his seat in an online competition, while the others will put up $20,000 each and play for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.
    This is the second dream match on Poker After Dark. Viewers may remember Ken Light’s appearance in Dream Match I, where the amateur played well but was knocked out on the final hand along with Jennifer Harman when Phil Hellmuth made trip sevens on the turn to eliminate both players and win his first ever match on PAD. It will be interesting to see if Paul fares better than Ken did, and he is sure to have a great number of supporters rooting for him as the match’s underdog.
    After Matusow’s 4th place finish last week in the “Mission Impossible” match, he remains winless on PAD with a record of 0-9. Mike’s obviously feeling the pressure of having the worst record on the show, so you know he’ll be focused. Hellmuth comes into the match with a record of 3-8, and would love nothing better than to become the show’s first 4-time winner.
    Proud new father Mike Sexton comes into this match with a 1-1 record, scoring a victory in Match 19. Jennifer Harman seems due, as she is now 1-6 with her victory coming way back in Match 8. Gavin Smith currently sports a 1-2 record on the show, with a victory in Match 22.
    Brief profiles of all six players follow. The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 a.m., September 29, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, October 4, at 1:00 a.m., right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature Leeann with a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews. Viewers can also watch the match at www.nbcsports/msnbc.com/poker.
    This match has plenty of action, with lots of all-in moves, a number of suckouts and bad beats, some behavior by Hellmuth that fans have come to expect, and a great heads-up match with a dramatic final hand. Viewers can expect a very entertaining match, with plenty of opportunities to ride along on the emotional roller coasters of their favorite players.
    Matusow, Mike: (Seat 1)
    • Known as “The Mouth” for trash talking at the tables, and one of poker’s most recognizable players
    • Winner of three WSOP bracelets, his latest in the prestigious 2008 $5000 no-limit 2-7 draw event w/rebuys
    • Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $6.87 million, and ranks 19th on the all-time money list
    • Won a $100,000 prop bet with Ted Forrest at the beginning of the 2008 WSOP by losing more than 50 pounds since the 2007 WSOP, weighing in at a svelte 179
    • Self-proclaimed unluckiest player in the game when he’s running bad

    Hellmuth, Phil: (Seat 2)
    • Known as the “Poker Brat,” a name he now embraces, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in July 2007
    • 1989 World Champion, and won his 11th World Series bracelet in 2007, making him the first and only person in history to do so
    • Career tournament winnings in excess of $10.67 million, and ranks 3rd on the all-time money list, despite never having a cash for more than $755,000
    • Now has more World Series cashes (67) and has made more WSOP final tables (41) than any other player in history
    • His fame has given him the opportunity to be involved in many businesses on the side, and he is highly acknowledged as the game’s best self-promoter

    Sexton, Mike: (Seat 3)
    • A journeyman poker player, he began playing professionally in the late 1970s
    • Owns one WSOP bracelet
    • Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $3.66 million
    • One of television’s most recognizable and respected poker commentators, and perhaps the game’s greatest ambassador
    • At the age of 60, became a father for the first time on August 21, 2008 when he and his wife Karen celebrated the birth of a baby boy, Ty Michael

    Harman, Jennifer: (Seat 4)
    • Only woman to regularly compete in the “Big Game” at the Bellagio
    • Owns two WSOP bracelets, and finished 2nd in the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe H.O.R.S.E. event
    • Career tournament winnings in excess of $2.21 million
    • Wrote the section of playing limit hold’em in Doyle Brunson’s book Super System II
    • Married to poker professional Marco Traniello, and spends considerable time hosting charity events which raise money for the Nevada SPCA and other worthwhile causes

    Smith, Gavin: (Seat 5)

    • Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and attended the University of Guelph
    • Holder of 1 WPT title, and was the WPT’s Player of the Year for season IV
    • Career tournament winnings in excess of $3.97 million
    • Talkative at the tables, and a self-proclaimed “wild card” due to his aggressive play
    • Known to engage in unusual prop bets during the World Series of Poker, especially with good friend poker professional Joe Sebok
    Featherstone, Paul: (Seat 6)
    • Is 25 years-old, single, and a resident of Woodland, CA
    • Won his seat to play on Poker After Dark via a freeroll at FullTiltPoker.net, and the players chosen to play against him are all among his personal favorites
    • Has been playing poker for about 3 years, sometimes as much as 10 hours a day, both online and in home games with friends
    • Worked for 5 years in the food service industry and is currently employed as a warehouse worker, but wants to return to college to become a veterinary technician
    • Other hobbies include jogging, golf and basketball, and is a huge fan of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings

    Dennis Oehring serves as the Public Relations Coordinator for the firm POKER PROductions. Statistical information courtesy of The Hendon Mob database. Photos courtesy of Stephanie Moore.

      Poker Affiliate Tournament in Barcelona Shut Down by Police

      September 28, 2008

      A freeroll poker tournament offered to private members of a poker affiliate forum during an industry convention in Spain was shut down by local Police. Poker tables, and chips were confiscated from the event, set in Barcelona, reported NoSoloPoker on Friday.

      Police raided the Hotel Princesa in Barcelona Spain where a private freeroll tournament was being held. This years ASOP brought together 42 online poker affiliates, each of whom earned their seats in the event though a series of  private (members only) online poker events sponsored by a variety of poker rooms online.

      It’s common knowledge among poker affiliates, and most poker players even, that cash poker games aren’t allowed just anywhere, and in Barcelona, they’re only allowed in actual casinos. There was definitely an air of surprise afoot however as affiliates found out that a private members only free poker tournament would be shut down, and supplies confiscated. No arrests are reported, no charges filed at this time.

      The tournament in question is the Affiliate Series of Poker, held during many Casino Affiliate Program events, and open to members of Poker Affiliate Programs, a web resource for online poker affiliates, affiliate managers, and others involved in the poker industry online.

      This is not the first time an ASOP has been shut down during a CAP convention.

      More than $10,000.00 in cold hard cash was to be won at this event, in addition to the coveted gold and diamond bracelet valued at nearly $15,000.00.

        Kentucky vs. Online Gambling Domains: Update

        September 26, 2008

        As you probably already know, the Franklin Circuit Court of Kentucky has ordered the seizure of 141 online gambling domain names declared by the courts to be guilty and/or in connection with illegal online gambling activities pertaining to residents of the state.

        On September 18, the court judge ruled that the plaintiff in the case, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was to take control of these domain names.

        4Flush.com has obtained a link to the actual order to seize the domain names, signed by the Kentucky court judge, stating the names of the 141 domains in question and the course of action to be taken.

        You can view the document here: Order Of Seizure Of Domain Names

        Below is the entire list of 141 online gambling domains set to be seized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

        123bingo.com
        777dragon.com
        7sultans.com
        absolutepoker.com
        aceshighcasino.com
        alljackpots.com
        allslots.com
        arthuriancasino.com
        atriumcasino.com
        aztecrichescasino.com
        bellavegas.com
        bet21.com
        betroyalcasino.com
        bigtimebingo.com
        bingoknights.com
        bingoville.com
        bingoworkz.com
        blackjackballroom.com
        bodoglife.com
        bonuslevelslots.com
        bookmaker.com
        bugsyclub.com
        cakepoker.com
        capitalcasino.com
        captaincookscasino.com
        caribbeangold.com
        casinobar.com
        casinoclassic.com
        casinoextreme.com
        casinofortune.com
        casinograndbay.com
        casinokingdom.com
        casinoshare.com
        casinous.com
        cirruscasino.com
        clubusacasino.com
        cocoacasino.com
        coolcatcasino.com
        countycasino.com
        crazypoker.com
        crazyvegascasino.com
        desperatehousewivesbingo.com
        doylesroom.com
        dsipoker.com
        englishharbour.com
        ezbets.com
        firstwebcasino.com
        fortunejunction.com
        fortuneroom.com
        fulltiltpoker.com
        galaxiworld.com
        gamblingboard.com
        goldencasino.com
        goldgatecasino.com
        goldenpalace.com
        grandmondial.com
        highrollerslounge.com
        indiancasino.com
        inetbet.com
        itsrealpoker.com
        ivegas.com
        jackpotcapital.com
        jackpotcity.com
        jackpotkingscasino.com
        jackpotwheel.com
        jupiterclub.com
        kingneptunescasino.com
        lakepalace.com
        lasvegasusacasino.com
        linesmaker.com
        luckycoincasino.com
        luckynugget.com
        luckypyramidcasino.com
        magicislandcasino.com
        mapau.com
        maplecasino.com
        miamiparadisecasino.com
        microgaming.com
        mightyslots.com
        millionairecasino.com
        musichallcasino.com
        mysportsbook.com
        oneclubcasino.com
        orbitalcasino.com
        orchidcasino.com
        paradise8.com
        phoeniciancasino.com
        pitbullpoker.com
        platinumplay.com
        playersonly.com
        pokerhost.com
        pokerroyaleonline.com
        pokerstars.com
        pokertime.com
        powerbet.com
        redflush.com
        redstarpoker.com
        reeferpoker.com
        riopartycasino.com
        riverbelle.com
        rivernilecasino.com
        roadhousereels.com
        royalbetcasino.com
        royalvegas.com
        rushmorecasino.com
        sbgglobal.com
        showdowncasino.com
        simonsayscasino.com
        slotfever.com
        slotocash.com
        slotsoffortune.com
        slotsplus.com
        sportsbetting.com
        sportsbook.com
        sportsinteraction.com
        sunpalacecasino.com
        sunvegas.com
        superslots.com
        thisisvegas.com
        thunderluckcasino.com
        tridentlounge.com
        truepoker.com
        ukcasinoclub.com
        ultimatebet.com
        usabingo.com
        valueactive.com
        vegascasinoonline.com
        vegaslucky.com
        vegasmagic.com
        vegaspalms.com
        vegasusacasino.com
        vegasvilla.com
        vicsbingo.com
        viploungecasino.com
        virtualcitycasino.com
        wildjack.com
        win4real.com
        winabingo.com
        worldwidevegas.com
        wsex.com
        yukongoldcasino.com

          WSOPE Pre-Main Event: Brunson VS Obrestad In Heads-Up Poker

          September 25, 2008

          On Friday, September 26, just one day before the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event in London, poker fans will have a chance to watch history in the making as the legendary Doyle Brunson will go heads-up against the 2007 WSOPE Champion, Annette Obrestad.

          Pitting aged wisdom against quick-witted youth, the match between 75 year old Brunson and 20 year old Obrestad will certainly be one for the history books. The event will be a best-of-3, with the first player to win 2 matches crowned the victor.

          DoyleTexas DollyBrunson is a living legend in the professional poker world, having made a monumentally successful career out of playing poker for more than 50 years now. Brunson has earned himself 10 WSOP Bracelets, only one behind the world record holder Phil Hellmuth, and tied for second with another legend of the game, Johnny Chan.

          Endorser of the well established online poker room, Doyles Room, launched in 2004, Brunson’s professional poker exploits have earned him well over $5 million in live tournament winnings, and no telling how much in high stakes cash games.

          AnnetteAnnette_15Obrestad hasn’t spent nearly as much time as a professional poker player, but has certainly proven her more than capable skills at the card tables. One day prior to her 19th birthday, Obrestad amazed the world by taking down the 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event in its inaugural season. Before that time, her online poker nickname “Annette_15” had already earned a reputation as one to be reckoned with.

          At the mere age of 15, Obrestad began playing online poker as “Annette_15”, and claims she never once deposited money into an online poker account, rather building her own bankroll from scratch in Freeroll tournaments. In a six month period (Sept ’06-Feb ’07), Annette raked in more than $500k on PokerStars, $200k on UltimateBet and another $136k at Full Tilt Poker. Her live tournament winnings already exceed $2.5 million, nearly half of Brunson’s career live tournament earnings.

          The Brunson-vs-Obrestad event will begin Friday at 1pm, local London time, at the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square. Massive attendance records are expected, including spectators and media, having just been alerted to the upcoming live poker event yesterday via a press release from the WSOP.

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