State authorities, accustomed to controlling gambling within their borders, have been largely frustrated in their efforts to police Internet betting. Kentucky judge Thomas Wingate has hit on a novel strategy: Taking away offshore gambling sites' domain names. The state is taking control of 141 domain names, including sportsbook.com and caribbeangold.com. Novel, but unlikely to be effective; sites will switch to other countries' domains, or — worst-case scenario — have gamblers type in numerical IP addresses. What, you think gambling addicts will balk at having to remember four numbers? The State of Kentucky, which is already in the gambling business, should just expand online and compete directly with its offshore rivals. That seems easier.

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