Antigua and Barbuda Ruling Delayed by WTO Arbitration Panel

December 15, 2007

Online poker players across the United States were on edge yesterday awaiting the final ruling of the World Trade Organization Arbitration Panel in a case involving Antigua and Barbuda against America. Antigua and Barbuda have claimed billions of dollars in losses due to the loss of online gambling business from the United States.

All involved may once again rest easy, as the wait continues. The World Trade Orders decision was as was rather expected by many in the industry, once again delayed. Gretchen Hamel, Trade Representative’s office spokesperson (US) conveyed to the press that the report would be delayed.

This means that the online gambling world will have to wait a little longer to find out if the World Trade Organization arbitration panel will decide in favor of Antigua and Barbuda in its case against the United States. The WTO did not issue any formal statement, no interviews were given, just a message to Reuters that got the word out.

In the case against the United States, in which Antigua and Barbuda first filed in 2003, following the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) that was passed sometime in the middle of the night, attached to the backend of a Port Security bill, before being signed into law by George Bush the following morning, Antigua and Barbuda are asking the World Trade Organization to award them $3.44 Billion Dollars annually.

Upon the first request of $3.44 Billion, the United States did make an offer to settle, a half a million. Antigua and Barbuda chose to pass on that offer, and no agreement was made.

Many online poker players, and other people following this case believe that the lack of line item veto in the presidents office was literally the deciding factor in the original implementation of the UIGEA.

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