Casino News

WTO takes stand against gambling ban

2006-10-30 17:20:00

The latest blow to the United States' much-publicised new gambling laws has come from a group closely associated with modern America, the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A panel representing the body said that the US should end its ban on Americans placing bets in online casinos, providing an exhaustive report on the subject.

A 287-page review deals with a case filed before the WTO by Antigua in 2005, in which the Caribbean island claimed that US bans on offshore gambling constituted a breach of its trade obligations as part of the WTO.

After an initial investigation the Antiguans' complaint was upheld, with the organisation now confirming that decision.

The US has said that it will appeal the decision, but the WTO is expected to stand firm.

The news comes as top US columnist Jacob Sollum declared that the new legislation's open ended wording means that the ban is not as far-reaching as had at been made out.

"[Congress] has opted to maintain an uncertain legal environment," he said in his nationally syndicated column.


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