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Antigua and US in Online Gambling Stand Off |
August 8 - The U.S. and small Caribbean island state of Antigua and Barbuda have
reached a 'stalemate' regarding talks to resolve a long-standing dispute
over the U.S. online gambling ban.
Said United States Trade Representative spokesperson, Richard Mills, 'It is
unfortunate but we were unable to reach a compromise regarding the issue of
online gambling despite many meetings with representatives of Antigua and
Barbuda during the past four months.'
The U.S. unhappiness with the island state stems from the fact that a World
Trade Organization (WTO) panel agreed with a recent claim filed by Antigua and
Barbuda that the United States' online gambling ban was in direct violation of
global trade rules.
Although it was accepted that the United States would appeal the WTO ruling,
both sides suspended litigation in the hope of reaching a compromise settlement.
Said Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Harold Lovell, 'Since then we
presented a number of proposals to the U.S. delegation for consideration, but
unfortunately none of them have been accepted'.'
As such, Antigua and Barbuda is expected to notify the WTO in November
this year that it will resume litigation against the United States. This action
will allow the WTO to publicly release the panel ruling and thus let the U.S.
proceed with its appeal.
Online gambling is a world wide phenomenon worth an estimated $12 billion
per year.
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