New Drive to Force US to Pay for Antigua Gambling Woes
Written by Matt W | Sunday, July 11th, 2010
Nearly six years after the World Trade Organization ruled that the United States was to settle with Antigua and Barbuda for barring offshore gambling and poker sites from competing in the US market, the twin island state has turned to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in a bid to get the matter settled once and for all.
In 2004, Antigua and Barbuda gaming challenged the new gambling laws implemented by the United States, saying that their economy would be severely affected by the legislation. The WTO ruled in Antigua’s favor and ordered the United States to settle with the state. However, the United States has been dragging its feet ever since, and refuses to comply with the ruling.
As such, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Baldwin Spencer said at a meeting of the Conference of Heads of Governments of CARICOM that he had serious concerns for the non-compliance and asked CARICOM to use all the measures at its disposal to facilitate a settlement. Since the United States closed its doors to online sites based in Antigua, the economy has suffered terribly since much of it was based on off-shore gambling licensing and legislation.
“Given the debilitating effect of the fiscal and economic crisis on our economy and the apparent disinterest of the United States in dealing decisively with this matter, Antigua and Barbuda may have no other choice but to signal to the WTO that we wish to impose sanctions,” said the Prime Minister.
He also said reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda were committed to a strong relationship with the United States, but felt it had no other choice other than turning to CARICOM with the option of imposing sanctions on the super power.
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· Written by Matt W · Filed Under Poker Gossip · Comments Off
