A Call for Nondiscriminatory Legislation
The online casino gambling industry is clamoring after European Union Trade
Commissioner Peter Mandelson finished his visit to the U.S. to address the
current international dispute. But rather than clamoring in disapproval, online
casinos and related industry professionals are voicing their support for the
questions and issues Mandelson addressed while he was in Washington speaking to
Congress. Because the U.S. Trade Representatives are looking to compensate
countries involved in the internet gambling dispute at the World Trade
Organisation, Mandelson is hoping that an approach directly to Congress will
encourage alternative U.S. legislation rather than the current compensation
negotiations.
Mandelson’s public stance on the U.S.’s discriminatory online casino legislation
resonates with many business and individuals with a stake in the internet
gambling industry. Mandelson comments, “The US has so far opted for compensation
to make right what is wrong. I don’t think compensation does that job. What we
really need is for legislation to be put right and for foreign operators not to
be discriminated against in the way that the present legislation does.”
This sentiment seems to be echoed all throughout the rest of the world that was
affected by last year’s online casinos ban that effectively ended offshore
internet gambling, yet still allows U.S. companies to operate internet gambling
sites for other markets outside of the U.S. and to operate in-state horserace
betting and fantasy sports. The U.S. has been accused of protectionist behavior
that only profits and benefits the U.S. and causes a great number of financial
losses EU businesses. This is specifically the part that Mandelson will continue
to make “on behalf of European industry.”
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