Antigua Gets WTO Approval In Threat To U.S. Over Online Gambling RestrictionsCountry Still Angry Over Damaged Economy Thanks To American Ban |
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A dispute involving Antigua and Barbuda, the United States and Americans gambling on the Internet has been dragging on for years. There was a significant development this week.
Antigua and Barbuda have long been angry at the United States for its efforts to stop online gambling. According to the twin-island nation, the industry is important to its economy. According to The Hill, Antigua has said that Americans being banned from playing on offshore betting sites costs it $3 billion per year in economic activity.
Domestic firms will soon have access to the U.S. market in the post-Black Friday environment.
On Monday, the World Trade Organization granted permission for Antigua and Barbuda to take digital content from apparently any U.S. firm, without paying them, in retaliation.
“The economy of Antigua and Barbuda has been devastated by the United States government’s long campaign to prevent American consumers from gambling online with offshore gaming operators,” Harold Lovell, Antigua’s finance minister, said in a statement. “We once again ask our fellow sovereign nation and WTO member, the United States of America, to act in accordance with the WTO’s decisions in this matter, before we move forward with the implementation of the sanctions authorized this day by the WTO.”
The countries reportedly could still reach a resolution before any copy right infringement takes place. In any event, the U.S. reportedly would also move to block Antigua and Barbuda from implementing a system to pirate material, should they take action on the WTO decision.
The situation appears to be long from over.
The Hill has more on the story.
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