General Casino News

Antiguan officials have told a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement board it expected "full compliance" from the US in its online gambling dispute.
Earlier this year the WTO ruled in favour of Antigua's egaming industry, and said unless the US closed down all forms of legal remote gambling in all 50 states, it had to permit Antiguan firms to offer their services to US citizens.

But at a meeting of the dispute settlement body in Geneva, Dr Errol Cort, Minister for Finance and Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, said he was disappointed to find the US government failed to set out how it would respond to the ruling.

"The statement of the US ambassador today gives us no substantive guidance as to the US’ intentions," Cort said.

And he warned the domicile would not stand idly by as the US played for time.

"Antigua expects full and complete compliance by the US with the recommendations adopted by the DSB in this case.

"As we noted last month, we will monitor the situation very closely to ensure timely and sufficient implementation by the US."

Cort repeated his call for the US to work with Antigua to provide a mutually beneficial structure for regulated online gambling.

"Antigua and Barbuda has offered the US the opportunity to co-operate with us on the regulation and oversight of gambling and betting services."

"We hope the US will accept our offer and work towards a resolution of this dispute that gives Antiguan operators fair, reasonable and responsible access to the enormous gambling market in the US."