US Anti-Gambling Law Does Not Respect WTO Ruling

If the law that is planned to be signed by United States President, George W. Bush, on Friday is actually signed and enforced, it would be a direct spitting in the face of the United States to the World Trade Organization.

The WTO claims that the exemptions in the US Internet Gambling Prohibition Bill for horse racing and state run lotteries discriminates against foreign internet gambling companies.

The case brought to the US by the WTO representing Antigua and Barbuda mean nothing to the US, however, if the United Kingdom and/or the European Union get involved the United States could face some mighty troubles.

The EU already expressed interest in the WTO case claiming that the new US legislation confirms that the US is breaking WTO laws against protectionism.

"To the extent that the legislation eliminates foreign competition for activities that remain lawful in the U.S., such as online betting on state-licensed horseracing, or state-licensed casino gambling that meets federal guidelines, there's no doubt it raises WTO issues," said Jonathan M. Winer, a Washington attorney.

We will see in the coming weeks how the US really feels about violating WTO rulings.



2006-10-07