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Nations Ban Together Against U.S. Restrictions

The United States has shown a blatant disregard for international trade policies, and subsequently angered many nations belonging to the World Trade Organisation. The WTO recently ruled in favor of Antigua, a small Caribbean nation, concerning the U.S.’s ban on online casino gambling. The U.S., rather than comply with the WTO’s ruling that the U.S. amend the recent ban on online casinos, has chosen to modify the 1994 GATS treaty. Basically, once the U.S. has amended the GATS treaty, the WTO has no basis for the case against the U.S., thus ending the case.

But this legal maneuvering just doesn’t sit well with Antigua, or the European Union. The EU is expected to join forces with the WTO to address the current situation, and how to deal with the U.S. now that it has violated global trade rules. Though Antigua is not the only nation that experienced setbacks after the U.S.’s anti-online casino legislation, they were hit the hardest. This small nation relies on online casinos revenue as a primary source government support, and the related companies account for thousands of jobs on the island.

The U.S.’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act effectively shut down all off the online casino companies in Antigua, and other small islands. But what really angers these countries, and causes concern within the WTO is the fact that the U.S. does still allow online betting on horse races—but only for U.S. based companies. If the U.S. had banned all forms of online gambling, and had no provisions allowing sole access for U.S. companies, than there would be less of an issue. As it stands, however, most countries agree that the U.S. is operating without concern or regard for trade agreements with countries, yet still reaps all of the benefits of current international trade agreements.

Antigua’s Ambassador, John Ashe has commented that the nation has plans to retaliate on the U.S if they do not receive compensation. Threats include going after American copyrights, trademarks, and other areas.