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David
and Goliath!
06/25/2003
GENEVA -- As reported by the Washington
Post: ``The World Trade Organization today said it will appoint a
three-member panel to determine if U.S. efforts to crack down on
offshore Internet gambling operations violate international trade
accords.
``The WTO announcement comes in response to
a challenge filed by Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island nation
that is a major nexus for the Internet gambling industry. U.S. laws
that ban the transfer of funds to offshore gambling operations and
make it difficult for non-U.S. firms to obtain gaming licenses
violate trade agreements ensuring market access to 'cross-border
services,' the complaint said.
``Internet gambling became a major part of
Antigua and Barbuda's economy during the 1990s, when up to 100
different online gaming companies ...operated in the island nation.
Today, there are fewer than 40 Internet gambling companies located
on the islands employing half as many local residents. Island
officials attribute the industry's decline in part to the U.S.
crackdown.
``Antigua and Barbuda strictly regulates
its online wagering industry, said chief foreign affairs
representative Ronald M. Sanders. The U.S. policy is draining a
significant source of the government's revenue, he said..."
Follow -Up 07/28/2003
David,
{Antiqua and Barbuda}, has delivered the first blow to Goliath. In a
decision reached this week, the World Trade Organization has ruled
that the United States must appear before a W.T.O panel to
answer allegations that the current U.S. legislation is in violation
of the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trades, (GATT), and is
causing irreparable harm to the economy of Antiqua and it neighbors.
20 million dollars was noted as lost revenues just since the House
passage of HR 2143. Many of the tiny island's 5000 jobs were
also reported to be in jeopardy as a direct result of the United
States legislation. The
Antiqua charges state the U.S. legislation is unfair and
discriminatory. Antiqua maintains that online gambling is not
unlawful, and can be fully regulated and monitored to ensure that
all of the United States concerns are satisfactorily met. Following
the cue by the courageous Islanders, several other countries that
had feared reprisal from the United States are preparing for action
too. Amongst the aggrieved countries are the European Union
and Taipei. Prime
Minister Bird stated, "Once the panel meets, on the assumption that
we win, then it will be a tremendous victory for Antigua &
Barbuda and I can assure you that many other countries in the world
will jump on the bandwagon." It
is becoming increasingly clear that the United States should join
hands with the rest of world in accepting, and regulating the
rapidly growing industry of online gambling.
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