Casino News: US vs. Antigua and Barbuda, Commercial Sanctions
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US vs. Antigua and Barbuda, Commercial Sanctions July 2, 2007, 9:54 am (4 years ago)US vs. Antigua and Barbuda, Commercial Sanctions
The United States has been requested to face commercial sanctions with worth $3.4 billion for their non compliance to the World Trade Organizations rules that Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is illegal. The trade body was asked for an authorization by the Caribbean jurisdictions to aim in the trademarks and copyrights in America if the country will refuse the changing of the legislation. They argue that before the ban was launched internet casinos provides income in the hundreds of their citizens and they had help end their reliance in tourism, which was hurt due to the hurricanes in the 1990’s. The United States sanctions will only take effect if they requested a WTO arbitration panel on the level and scope in the sanctions filed by Antigua. As stated by L. Errol Cort, the Finance Minister for Antigua 'While we realize this is a significant step for Antigua and Barbuda to take, we feel we have no other choice in the matter.' 'Until such time as the United States is willing to work with us on achieving a reasonable solution to this trade dispute, we will continue to use every legitimate remedy available to protect the interests of our citizens.” The WTO had already ruled out last December that UIGEA is unfair because they seem to target the offshore market of online casinos, they have told the Americans that they can keep restricting against sportsbettng if they were applied in American business including the operators in remote horse betting. The Antigua’s request had been received by the officials of WTO but they were unable to give the details in the content. According to Gretchen Hamel, she is the spokeswoman in the US Trade Representative at Washington 'We will continue to work with Antigua and Barbuda to try to find a mutually satisfactory resolution to this dispute.” Also, there was added pressure in the United States with the filing of WTO compensation requests by Japan and India in the attempt of Washington to change the details in the obligation under the General Agreement On Trade In Services of 1994.
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