Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative spokesperson, Jeffrey Sandman, has released a statement today regarding the attempt by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshar to ban online gaming activities including online sportsbetting, online poker and online casinos gambling through the seizure of 141 domain names owned by online gaming companies. The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative supports and advocates the freedom of individuals to gamble online under the appropriate legal structure to ensure players protection and integrity. For more information on the Initiative, please visit the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative official site. The Web site provides the necessary information and resources by which individuals can register and support the regulated online gambling proposal by contacting their elected representatives.

The following is the statement released by Jeffrey Sandman:

"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.

Governor Beshar is right to acknowledge that Internet gambling is flourishing in an underground marketplace and a change is needed to protect Kentuckians and all Americans. Unfortunately, his solution is flawed. Prohibition has failed before and is not likely to stop Kentuckians or anyone in the U.S. from continuing to find a way to gamble online.

The movement to regulate Internet gambling, led by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, advocates for a more responsible approach to protect consumers and capture billions of dollars to fund critical government programs, money that otherwise is lost to offshore businesses and out of the U.S. economy. Based on pending legislation, the Investing in our Human Resources Act (H.R.6051), Kentuckians could receive an estimated $556 million over 10 years to fund critical programs from regulated Internet gambling revenues. The bill also includes provisions to encourage responsible Internet gambling behavior and an awareness of unsafe practices, something problem gambling advocates praise.

Gov. Beshar has shown great leadership in protecting Kentuckians' individual right to gamble on horse racing and in casinos if they wish to opt for that form of entertainment. He should extend that right to those constituents who seek the freedom to gamble online, whether on poker, sports or other games.

We encourage Gov. Beshar to reverse his position and support Internet gambling regulation as a sensible approach to protect the interests of his constituents."