Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative Tells Beshear Stop
The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative issued a statement today through spokesman Jeffrey Sandman, asking Kentucky and Governor Steve Beshear to alter course and drop the attempt to seize online casino domain names.
Sandman said, "The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative calls on Kentucky Governor Steve Beshar to support the regulation of Internet gambling as a way to protect Kentuckians and generate billions of dollars in new revenue, rather than seeking to prohibit the activity."
Sandman noted that some of Beshear's stated reasons for attacking the online gambling industry were accurate, but that the solution to seek prohibition would not achieve his goals. Consumer protection from "shady outfits", as Beshear characterized them, would be best realized by regulation.
Sandman appealed to Beshear to drop the court case and instead support Barney Frank's legislation designed to regulate and tax Internet casinos. He noted that the bill addresses concerns regarding minors and problem gamblers.
In a somewhat backhanded compliment, Sandman praised Beshear for supporting the gambling industry in Kentucky, allowing residents to indulge in lotteries and horse racing online. He then asked the governor to extend that right of choice to include all online wagering, rather than discriminate.
