Antigua Sun
Antigua & Barbuda and the US will be meeting in May to discuss the way forward for the gaming industry in light of the WTO's final ruling on Internet gaming.
Spokesperson for the Antigua & Barbuda Offshore Gaming Association (A&BOGA) Ron Maginley told the SUN yesterday that the meeting is slated for 19 May in Geneva, Switzerland.
"Antigua & Barbuda expects that the US Government will seek to ensure that the spirit of the WTO and the decision made on granting access to the US market is adhered to as it relates to our companies," he said.
Antigua & Barbuda overcame the US to win a favourable ruling from the WTO in the cross-border gaming dispute that has been ongoing for well over a year. The final ruling was made earlier this month and was the second victory over the US, with Antigua & Barbuda succeeding in the WTO Disciplinary Panel proceedings last year.
In the latter decision the appellate body recommended that the US bring its measures (Wire Act, Illegal Gambling Business Act and the Travel Act) into conformity with its obligations under the GATS.
These laws were created on moralistic grounds "to protect the US public morals and maintain public order," but Antiguan officials explained that the US had not successfully demonstrated to the appellate body that the laws were not discriminatory against other countries entering the US Internet gaming market.
Maginley explained however, that the challenge of the meeting, or rather the negotiations, would be finding a common ground for both sides.
"There needs to be a balance between law and order issues contained within the three federal legislations and providing market access as part of the GATS," he said.
Should the US decide not to comply with the ruling, Maginley stated, "such a position would fly in the face of the WTO to ensure equal and fair access for all countries, including small island states."
The A&BOGA spokes-person also said US compliance was not the only issue to worry about. He said Antigua & Barbuda's competitiveness, or possible lack of competitiveness in the gaming industry, should be a matter on the government's front burner.
Maginley explained that the UK had recently passed legislation to license online gambling companies and would not be placing restrictions on companies licensed in the UK providing services to the US.
"We can expect regulations to come out within eight months and the UK will be prepared to start licensing gaming companies.
"Antigua & Barbuda will now have a first world competitor and a competitor that plans to place no restrictions on companies accessing US markets. The competitive dynamics are changing," Maginley warned.
