RGA Online Casino Complaint Against U.S. May Help Antigua

Antigua may still have to wait through much red tape to collect on old debts, but the online casino market in the U.S. may be reopening very soon.

The lead attorney for the nation of Antigua and Barbuda in the case against the United States regarding the Antiguan online casino industry told the Antigua Sun Tuesday that the results and current status of negotiations between the two countries will be made public next week.

Mark Mendel stated that the discussions between trade representatives of the two nations, which have continued well beyond several deadlines set for the U.S. to honor obligations put upon it when the World Trade Organization found for Antigua, should reach the next step within days.

This may involve further litigation through the WTO if the U.S. has not satisfied the debt incurred by blocking Antiguan rights to free trade in the case of the Internet gambling ban cemented by the passage of the UIGEA.

Mendel noted an investigation brought by the European Union, at the behest of the Remote Gaming Association, looking into similar claims of protectionist policies and selective enforcement of online gaming laws may help Antigua in its case.

The amount of damages potentially to be claimed by European Internet casinos could dwarf the award the WTO gave to Antigua. the pressure being brought by both foreign groups to hold the U.S. to free trade agreements adds to the concerns of financial institutions wary of being cast as law enforcement by the terms of the UIGEA.

Also, politicians are noting an increased voice by voters wanting less government interference in their lives, and a return to making individual freedom a top priority in American governing, as evidenced by the grass-roots popularity of Ron Paul.

Finally, consumer advocates and teen counselors have urged Congress to regulate the Internet gaming industry to protect citizens from criminal and dishonest gambling sites, while budget-conscious legislators note the huge revenues possible by taxation of the casinos.

All of this serves to form a perfect storm of interests seeking the casting aside of the UIGEA. Antigua may still have to wait through much red tape to collect on old debts, but the online casino market in the U.S. may be reopening very soon.