[image credit : Wave3]
The Governor for Kentucky, Steve Beshear, has revealed that the southern state is due to receive more than six million dollars as a result of its actions against online gambling domains.
According to a report from local television station WLEX-TV, the cash stems from the state’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet seizure of 141 domain names in 2008 and the following court cases.
The action was the first of its kind in the United States and was followed three years later by similar suits from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.
As a result of a subsequent settlement, Kentucky is now due to receive $6.075 million, which the Democrat stated will be added to this year’s General Fund.
“I’m pleased with the disposition of this case with regard to the major players in this arena and I’m grateful to our legal team for their persistence over the past five years,” said Michael Brown, Justice Secretary for Kentucky and the man who brought the suit on behalf of the state.
PokerStars, FullTilt Poker, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet were among those targeted by the initial seizure with Brown announcing that Kentucky is due to continue its actions against those remaining Internet sites included in the suits.
“As a result of the collective efforts and cooperation of the Commonwealth and United States Attorneys for the Southern District of New York and the District of Maryland, we’ve protected Kentucky consumers, our signature horseracing industry and legitimate charitable gaming interests,” said Beshear.
“Unlicensed and unauthorised Internet gambling has been substantially curtailed in Kentucky and we’ve created a framework for the rest of the country to manage the issue in their own jurisdictions.”
