WTO Rebuffs U.S. on Internet Betting Ban

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

WTO Rebuffs U.S. on Internet Betting Ban

By BRADLEY S. KLAPPER
The Associated Press
Friday, March 30, 2007; 12:24 PM

GENEVA -- The U.S. has failed to change its ban on Internet betting to comply
with a World Trade Organization ruling that said the legislation unfairly targets
offshore casinos, the global trade body said Friday.

The ruling opens the door to possible commercial sanctions against the U.S.

In a 215-page decision, a three-member WTO compliance panel sided with the
twin Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which has argued that
Internet gambling is a lucrative source of revenue and provides an income for
hundreds of islanders.

The Geneva-based trade referee has said Washington can maintain restrictions
on online gambling, as long as its laws are equally applied to American operators
offering remote betting on horse racing.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30/AR2007033000942.html

[denverbill]

1. Excellent news.

Congress ain't about to kill remote betting on horse racing, so maybe this will give them an excuse to legalize and regulate online poker.