The World Trade Organisation disagreement involving the United States and Antigua over online gambling has been ongoing for 11 years and on Friday, Antigua prime minister Gaston Browne spoke during a meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stating that the issue with the US Trade Representative is not yet settled.
The dispute began when Antigua took the USA to the WTO over its bans on online gambling saying that they were unfair, in violation of WTO agreements and negatively effecting the island’s economy.
The WTO sided with Antigua; however the US has failed to pay compensation to date, which PM Browne says is now at $168 million.
With the US skirting the issue, the WTO offered Antigua another means of relief allowing it to resort to international intellectual property violations up to $21 million per year.
The Antiguan government has not gone ahead with it but based on what was seen at the CARICOM meeting, PM Browne is becoming more impatient.
Efti
9 years ago
I remember when the WTO decision came down in Antigua's favour and how some Americans actually thought it could make a difference in online gambling's legal status... Years later and of course the US government is still operating as before and doing what it wants because it is a law unto itself and international treaties...
I remember when the WTO decision came down in Antigua's favour and how some Americans actually thought it could make a difference in online gambling's legal status... Years later and of course the US government is still operating as before and doing what it wants because it is a law unto itself and international treaties are designed to keep the rest of the world - especially developing countries - in check.
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jade
9 years ago
There are many factors pending, before a resolution to this dispute takes place and Antigua is well aware as is the rest of the world. Although I do not like the idea that the amount of taxes dollars that will be used to pay out this dispute continues to increase with each day that passes if Antigua agrees with the WTO...
There are many factors pending, before a resolution to this dispute takes place and Antigua is well aware as is the rest of the world. Although I do not like the idea that the amount of taxes dollars that will be used to pay out this dispute continues to increase with each day that passes if Antigua agrees with the WTO for the yearly $21 million for international intellectual property violations. What Antigua should be doing is, make nice, cozy up with (however you wanna put it) lobbyists, special interest groups, congress, anyone and everyone that supports online gambling in the US and can help expedite a resolution to pass a law that will legalize online gambling once and for all. No pun intended, but a lovely play on words, don't ya think, LOL........
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catapultaudio
9 years ago
Lol, as if the United States is going to be intimidated by some miniature island state demanding 168 million dollars for some kind of online gambling related garbage... please, those guys dont even allow this activity for their own citizens!...
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