Kentucky Supreme Court overturns online gambling ruling

The Kentucky Supreme Court Thursday ruled against the owners of 141 seized online gambling domain names, overturning an earlier decision by the Court of Appeals that said the domain names aren't gambling devices under Kentucky law.

The Court said that the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) and the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), the two main parties acting in behalf of the domain name owners, had no standing in the case.

"Because the parties seeking the writ (of prohibition) have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to do so, this Court reverses, though this done not foreclose the possibility of future relief," wrote Justice Mary Noble.

Noble explained that neither iMEGA nor the IGC has informed the Court of its membership.

"While IGC claims to represent 61 of the seized domains and iMEGA purports to represent 'some' more, this Court cannot simply take their words for it," she wrote.

Joe Brennan, the Chairman of iMEGA, remains upbeat that case will turn out favorable for the online gambling community.

"In the written decision, the Court clearly indicates they agree with our arguments, and are inviting us to refile, so that the technicality of the standing issue can be resolved," he said in a press release.

Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas also expressed confidence of a favorable ruling.

"The PPA understands the technical nature of the decision issued today by the Kentucky Supreme Court and remains confident that, once that issue is cured, the Supreme Court will address the compelling merits of the arguments in support of the Court of Appeals decision prohibiting the Commonwealth's seizure of 141 internet gaming sites," he said in a statement.