Antigua hopes for big gambling payout

2007-12-13 08:44:07

A small Caribbean nation has said it expects to win damages following a row with the US over online gambling rules.

Antigua & Barbuda believes it is in with a good chance of receiving a large payout from the World Trade Organization following a ruling in 2005 that found the US discriminated against other countries in only allowing domestic firms to provide online horse-race gambling services.

The US believes that Antigua & Barbuda, which depends on gambling revenues to maintain its economy, is only entitled to $500,000 in compensation but the Caribbean nation wants a much bigger package.

Mark Mendel, the lawyer for the Caribbean nation, told Reuters: "We feel pretty confident about our case, to be honest. We really feel like we have the upper hand here."

The Office of the United States Trade Representative has challenged the WTO's ruling, which it described as "deeply flawed".