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Antigua &
Barbuda today went before a three person panel of the WTO
arbitration committee to substantiate claims of $3.4 billion
against the U.S. for its treaty violation of cross-border
trade in services over Internet gambling.
Antigua & Barbuda have won its case at the WTO and the
appeals by the U.S. and now seeks remedy for its substantial
losses. In its decision the WTO upheld a U.S. decision to
prevent cross border gambling, it did however rule that it
was illegal for the U.S. to target offshore gambling outlets
and not apply the same rules to American operators.
The U.S. Trade Representative has since filed that it will
seek to remove this trade in service from the original GATS
commitment. This action has sparked other countries, which
include the entire 27 member European Union, Japan, Canada,
Costa Rica, Macau, Australia and India, all WTO member
states, to file compensation claims against the U.S. for
real or future losses.
Under rules of the WTO, the U.S. may be liable for an amount
that is equal to the total dollar volume of the domestic
industry for this service, which is estimated to be more
than $100 billion annually combined.
The WTO arbitrators must decide by November 30, what, if
any, penalties shall be awarded to Antigua & Barbuda.
The U.S. has suggested that the amount of monetary damage
claimed by the tiny twin island nation is extreme and the
true value should be placed in the neighborhood of $500,000.
On its face, this counter claim by the U.S. is considered by
experts to be ridiculous.
"The fees alone for attorneys involved in the litigation at
the WTO far exceed this amount," said Casino Gambling Web's
analyst, Gordon Price.
Antigua & Barbuda submitted a 53 page document which
outlined the rationale for the lifting of copyright law due
to the absence of Washington agreeing to follow its original
WTO commitments. Citing that the relatively small size of
trade with the U.S. would not be adequate to compensate it
for its losses.
The U.S. has thus far treated this issue as a minor
inconvenience, refusing to negotiate any settlement with
Antigua as it is required to do. However the stakes of the
outcome could actually determine if the WTO will cease to
exist.
October 18, 2007
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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