Legal World Meets Gaming World
There has been a long standing legal battle between online gaming websites based outside of the United States and governmental agencies within the US borders. An epic battle centering on whether or not United States based players should be allowed access to online gaming websites is at hand. Both parties have presented strong arguments for their side and against their opponent. A judge has refereed the battle that took online games off the internet and into the courtroom.
Recent rulings have determined that lead state Kentucky government officials may block its players from accessing such gaming websites. Enforcement from these structures was expected to be handed down the moment the verdict was rendered. There has been an unexpected result that has come out of the legal battle as well.
Online game network giant Microgaming is taking steps to block United States based players from accessing its poker websites. Not all of the states are being blocked from use. At present time there are only 13 states on the banned list. Those states are as follows: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Utah. It should come as no surprise that Kentucky appears on the list. It is the governmental agencies in that state that started the battle in the first place.
The premise behind the Microgaming decision can be largely attributed to the legal decision handed down. A judge made the ruling that websites had a 30 day period to block United States players. Almost immediately Microgaming began taking the necessary steps to block a selection of player states from poker and casino gaming websites.
State of the art technology is being utilized by Microgaming to ensure regulations are followed. IP blocking software is in the process of being added to the network of websites. The purpose of the software is to detect IP computer addresses from US player computers in the banned list of states. Those users will be blocked from entering the websites for play. An added step is being placed into the blocking software.
Microgaming is utilizing the technology to block third party proxy servers as well. These are used by players in an attempt to bypass a blocking system that has been put in place to prevent access to a website. With these technological blockers put into place, United States players in those banned states will not have access to a variety of Microgaming websites. Among the list included are 32redpoker.com; Intertopspoker.com; Crazypoker.com; Pokertime.com; Royalvegaspoker.com and Pokerwize.com.
