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August 31, 2007
An editorial in US newspaper Newsday has described the tiny Caribbean island nation as the “mouse that roared on Internet gambling” due to its World Trade Organization (WTO) confrontation with the US over that country’s anti-online gambling laws regards foreign gaming operators.
Antigua’s WTO actions has forced the US to reconsider its gambling legislation, quite an achievement in the eyes of the Newsday editorial. Online bingo operators and watchers of the bingo online industry have been following developments between the two nations with interest due to its implications concerning access to the US market.
Antigua is base to a number of online bingo hall operations and constitutes one of the major offshore gambling jurisdictions in the world.
The Newsday article points out that Antigua has already faced the US down twice in the WTO. It also shows Antigua’s support for current initiatives within the US seeking to change current US laws from ones of prohibition to ones of regulations similar to those enjoyed bythe UK free online bingo industry.
"Legislation introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) provides a good jumping-off point for debate in Congress," says the editorial.
"Antigua is home to 32 online casino operations. It initiated a trade complaint in 2003, claiming that the U.S. ban violates its rights as a member of the global free trade community policed by the WTO. It won in 2004; again in 2005, after the United States appealed; and the ruling was reaffirmed yet again this year. All that's left is for the WTO to decide what damages to impose."
In a strong comment on US policy the article continues: "The integrity of the United States is also at issue. This country can't respect trade rules that benefit us and ignore those that don't without undermining valuable free trade agreements.
"Washington may be left with only two choices: Allow Americans to wager online with offshore casinos or ban all Internet gambling - including popular pastimes like fantasy sports leagues and off-track betting on horses, and maybe even the sale of lottery tickets online.“
Written by John Witherspoon - Play bingo online at http://bingostreet.com/ and read our online bingo blog.
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