EU Trade Commissioner Asks U.S. to Reconsider Online Gambling

November 12, 2007

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) may have received a little boost from a summit meeting on Friday, November 9 in Washington D.C.

EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson and other European officials are hoping to achieve a political solution to the loss of the billions of dollars the EU online gaming industry has lost. Mandelson also lobbied congress to lift the ban for meetings on Capitol Hill, which includes a closed-door session with Barney Frank, the chairman of the House financial services committee.

Frank said on Friday that the involvement of the EU makes it a big ‘World Trade Organization (WTO’) issue and also says, “I would hope that some of the pro-trade people will be consistent in their view that the US must fulfill its WTO obligations,” and adds that, “I’m hoping to get support from three sources. Those who seek potential tax revenue, those who believe it is consistent with WTO obligations, and my main motivation, let people gamble if they want to.”

Nao Matsukata, formerly of US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said, “His (Mandelson’s) willingness to meet Barney Frank suggests that he is open to finding a legislative solution to the problem. The meeting on Friday initiated a mutually supportive effort to resolve the unfortunate decisions of the United States to withdraw from its GATS commitments, and should help create positive momentum for the Frank legislation on Capitol Hill.”

Frank’s proposal faces some major opponents such as the NFL because it would legalize online sports betting.

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