Implications for the Internet
The online casino gambling situation in the United States has the ability right
in the coming weeks to either set the bar for internet neutrality or do the
exact inverse – create and international “situation” that could really lead to
international internet censorship to a degree that has never previously been
reached. The US federal government has started the situation by passing and
enforcing the UIGEA, but it’s the individual US states that are exacerbating the
situation right now. To be much more specific, in the Kentucky case the State
government has spent well over a year in attempts to seize more than 140 domains
names from internationally registered online casinos – this landmark case has
captured the rapt attention of internet rights advocates all over the world.
The rulings in the lower courts have really been mixed and a bit in favor of
both sides on nearly every ruling. The case has made it to the Kentucky Supreme
Court and the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling will have a ripple effect on
the global online casino gambling industry no matter which way it rules.
Essentially, a ruling in favor of the gambling sites, and internet
freedom/neutrality will strengthen international attempts to keep the internet
far from country specific politics. But should the SC allow the state of
Kentucky the right to seize or fine the online casinos in question, this action
could allow other nations the right to also implement their regulations across
their national boundaries.
Most specifically, a ruling in favor of seizing international domain names from
the online casinos would give nations like China the right to do the same – and
that is a dangerous precedent to set. There are a lot of activities even outside
of gambling that are illegal but yet deemed appropriate by Western countries –
and if China has the right to seize and fine these companies the internet
becomes a whole different ballgame. |