The War on Online Gambling: In Kentucky, It’s Getting Ridiculous

In case you don’t keep up on the developments of online gambling law, last week Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordered Kentucky authorities to seize 140+ domain names currently owned by Internet companies around the world. (The story.) All of these companies are operating legally in their respective domains, but the governor wants Kentuckians in Kentucky casinos, so he’s decided the domains should belong to the Derby’s home state. (I believe BoDog.com is one of the domains at issue. KentuckyDerby.com — not so much.)

Reason I’m writing about this here is that I’ve exchanged e-mails with Ed Leyden of iMega, a DC-based trade group that defends the online industry in matters such as these. iMega’s involved in this one, too. Anyway, turns out that Kentucky wants to seize these domain names on the theory that they constitute “gambling devices.” Kentucky law defines “gambling device” as follows:

(a) Any so-called slot machine or any other machine or mechanical device an essential part of which is a drum or reel with insignia thereon, and which when operated may deliver, as a result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property, or by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property; or

(b) Any other machine or any mechanical or other device, including but not limited to roulette wheels, gambling tables and similar devices, designed and manufactured primarily for use in connection with gambling and which when operated may deliver, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property, or by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property;

If anyone can come up with an argument that a domain name constitutes a “gambling device” within this definition, please leave a post.

FullTiltPoker.com is reportedly one of the sites Kentucky has its designs on.

One more thing: Governor Beshear makes no bones about it that this action is all about protecting Kentucky casinos (from which Kentucky makes a bundle) from out-of-state competition — in effect, he wants to prohibit the importation of gambling services to Kentucky to protect Kentucky industry. According to an article in a Huntington, West Virginia paper:

Beshear believes Kentucky is the first in the country to attempt to block online gambling by taking over Web domain names of gambling sites.

“Unlike casinos that operate on land or on riverboats in the United States, these operations pay no tax revenues, provide no jobs and yield no tourism benefits,” Beshear said at a Monday afternoon Capitol press conference. “They are leeches on our communities.”

Kentucky, home to the Kentucky Derby, already has a state lottery and allows gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Blocking internet gambling sites in Kentucky would “protect the signature industry,” Beshear said.

Such sites “siphon off money from regulated and legal games such as Kentucky’s thoroughbred racing industry, our lottery and charitable gaming activities,” Beshear said.

Although Kentucky officials did not have a definite estimate of how much money is being lost to online gambling in Kentucky, Beshear claimed residents were wagering millions online.

Governor Beshear’s plan is about as per se a violation of the dormant Commerce Clause as one could imagine. But what the heck; when it comes to going after online gambling, who cares about the Constitution.

Reese and Co. Hit Red Square

No, not that Red Square. The one at my alma mater, the University of Washington. (I know, it’s in Seattle, so it might as well be in that Red Square.)

Anyway, we hit the UW Sunday with Tom, Carrie and Tamir. Finn’s first day out in the real world, and a glorious day indeed. A few photos:

Maybe I'll by a Husky someday . . .

It's a big, big world.

Our pals Tamir, Carrie and Tom. I think I may have been thrown in that pond once . . .

More photos are available at a photo album I created on Snapfish.

Day One as a Big Sis’ — Reese Tries Utensils

Now that Reese is a big sister, we thought it wise for her to give eating utensils a shot.

Verdict: second time’s a charm.

A few pics:

Okay, at least we're in the ballpark.

The spoon, not your hands.

Now that we know ARCHIE can use utensils . . .

Not the after pic we were going for.

Stay tuned on the eating front. There’s nowhere to go but up.

Announcing Finn Jenkins

It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of another Jenkins to blog about. Finn (G.) Jenkins was born last night at 10:17 pm. 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and 19 inches. Pretty good stuff.

A few pics:

Mom and Finn seconds after the big arrival.

Me with Ronnie and Finn (known to Uncle Cole as Huck or Flipper).

Reese with her new little bro'.

Finn with his proud papa.

Mom, dad and sister are all doing well.

More Excitement: The Wallingford Wurst Festival

Boy it seems like we go to our share of street fairs and festivals. Last night’s — the Wallingford Wurst Festival at St. Benedict’s School. Can’t report on any barroom brawls or table dancing, but the festivities were, as always, good clean American fun.

A few pics:

Proof we were there.

Reese's pal Tamir Richardson.

Anyone seen a decent hot dog around here?

Ronnie and Reese hiding evidence of Finn.

Seattle Isn’t One of the Nation’s Ten Worst Commutes?

Researchers at Texas A&M just released a study ranking America’s worst commutes (more). Seattle did not appear among the worst 10.

How this is possible I am not sure. Then again, I don’t claim to understand how these studies reach the conclusions they do. After all, Forbes recently Washington as the third friendliest state for business in the U.S.

Is there another Seattle, Washington somewhere?