Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker Block Kentucky Residents

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The poker rooms that recently merged to form network CEREUS, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, blocked Kentucky residents. Last Monday all Kentucky residents got an email saying "We regret to inform you that, effective immediately, AbsolutePoker.com is no longer available to Kentucky residents. This means that you will not be able to access our website and software from within the state boundaries of Kentucky.” Players from Ultimate Bet got a similar email with a link to cashier and support.

CEREUS is following the actions of Cake Poker and sites on the Merge Gaming Network. Full Tilt Poker and Pokerstars are still accepting players from Kentucky. Joe Brennan, CEO for the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association, told Poker News Daily, “Pulling out of the Kentucky market, especially in advance of the December 12th hearing, means that they are bowing to Kentucky’s demands without going to the hearing. The seizure hearing has been stayed by the Court of Appeals, so there’s no reason for them to leave. Doing anything in advance of the December 12th hearing is premature.”

On December 12th a three judge Appeal Panel will meet and decide what will happen to the defending 141 internet gambling domain names. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) together with other organizations have submitted briefs in the case which has attracted the attention of American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

It seems that the internet gambling domain names are up for a long tough fight. More than the poker industry I worry about players from Kentucky. As complicated as it can be to determine wether gambling is good or bad, I believe it is a matter of free will that can only be chosen by each individual and not by a Senator or court.

Source: Poker News Daily