Whether you are or are not a fan of online gambling, you have to find this a bit humorous…
- In 2003 the tiny island nation of Antigua and Barbuda filed suit with the WTO (World Trade Organization) against the U.S. government, claiming the U.S.’s ban on offshore online casinos and sports books violates the GATS treaty, as the U.S. allows the same activities within its borders. Antigua is home to 44 online gaming firms.
- The WTO ruled in favor of Antigua. Twice, now and in 2004.
- The U.S. had the choice of: (a) opening its market to online gambling firms based in Antigua, or (b) shutting down the firms running the same kind of operations in the U.S.
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But Washington the came up with a third and unexpected decision: ignore the ruling, and leave the next move to Antigua.
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On their own, Antigua doesn’t have much strength if they want to impose sanctions, so it looks like they did a little brainstorming and…
- Antigua now has decided their next move. They have asked China and the European Union for support in their intention of imposing trade sanctions the U.S.
What’s next? According to Red Herring:
A source close to the Antiguan government said China was likely to side with Antigua & Barbuda, in part as a retaliatory measure. The U.S. has frequently turned to the WTO to pressure China to live up to its trade commitments to honor U.S. patents, as well as music, movie, software, and other copyrights. The E.U. has also historically sided with small nations that have won trade rulings at the WTO.
Read more at Red Herring on the most recent ruling, at the New York Times about the previous ruling, and here on the online gambling situation in the U.S.
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