During some free time at the  TRAFFIC conference last June in Las Vegas,  I won a bit of cash at the Bellagio playing blackjack. A few hours before my flight took off, I played blackjack again at Aria, and I went on a nice run. I walked away after winning a big hand, and the entire trip was financed by my blackjack winnings. I enjoy playing blackjack, and this was one of the few times I left ahead.

Although I think it will be difficult to pick out the winners when it comes to new gTLDs, I do believe there are going to be some domain names that have aftermarket value. Because I initially said I wouldn’t buy any gTLD domain names, I felt it was appropriate to re-address my public position and share that I am planning to gamble on some hand registered / pre-reserved gTLD domain names.

Maybe I will

In  Andrew’s opinion  (and I agree with the domain investor aspect), “if a new TLD operator wants to come anywhere close to the number of registrations that .mobi, .me, .xxx, and any other recently ‘launched’ TLD have, they’re going to need to count on both domainers and defensive registrations.”  I happen to disagree with Andrew regarding defensive registrations.

Before .XXX domain names were made available to consumers, many domain registrars sent “warning” emails to clients to recommend that they defensively reserve / register .XXX domain names so that others couldn’t use them maliciously. Because of the potential embarrassment associated with a brand .XXX domain name, many companies and people secured .XXX domain names to “protect” their brand. I don’t see the same

I am curious whether you’ve pre-registered, pre-reserved, or registered any new gTLD domain names. I agree with Andrew that new gTLD registries are going to rely upon domain investor (and even non-domain investor) speculation to pad their numbers. I shared that I have not done any pre-registering, and Mike Berkens announced his first new gTLD registrations.

If I was a betting person (which I am), I would guess that I will end up buying at least a few new gTLD domain names, although I will be sure that I am getting something saleable, something with a fixed and known renewal fee, and something that I feel is at a fair price. I don’t have any idea what I’d buy, but I am just being honest about not being opposed to speculating.

As of right now, have you pre-registered or purchased any new gTLD domain names? Please vote in the poll below. Also, feel free to let other people know how your opinion has changed (if it has) over time.