Antigua Discusses WTO Internet Gambling Settlement with USA

Antigua's Minister of Finance and the Economy Dr. Errol Cort held meetings Thursday with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab to discuss the USD $21 million per year settlement awarded to Antigua by the World Trade Organization (WTO) panel last month against the United States for pulling online gambling from its Trade in Services Agreement.

At his departure for the meetings, Dr. Cort told the Antigua Sun that last month's ruling by the WTO panel granting the tiny twin island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda USD $21 million per year in intellectual property-related trade sanctions puts his delegation in a strong position going into that meeting.

"That is a very, very potent sanction to have been awarded and we were very pleased in respect of that. We feel with that particular sanction being awarded to Antigua, it certainly sets the stage for meaningful negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the USA," the Antigua Sun quoted the finance minister as saying.

Cort hoped that the high level meeting will lead to a resolution of the dispute, saying, "We believe this matter can be settled in an amicable way because we enjoy an excellent relationship with the United States." He added, "I am therefore hopeful we can come to some broad understanding in terms of settlement."

Cort admitted that the decision of the WTO of $21 million annual fines the U.S. must pay is a setback to Antigua, who was hoping the penalty to be closer to the area of $3.44 billion annually.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which was designed to halt online gambling offered to US residents by foreign operators, made it illegal for banks and other financial institutions from transferring funds from US residents to any foreign operator of gambling, while allowing the same transfers to continue for domestic gambling operators. The UIGEA is what the WTO panel particularly objected to in their rulings.

No outcome of Cort and Schwab's meeting has been reported yet, but PokerPages.com will report any news as it becomes available.

LONDON MEETING COMING TO DISCUSS UK WHITE LIST REJECTION

Meanwhile, the Antigua Sun noted that Dr. Cort also said that he will lead a delegation to London next week Thursday, to meet with the UK minister responsible for gaming.

He said he was disappointed that Antigua and Barbuda did not get on to the UK's 'white list' and intends to continue discussions with the gaming authorities in the UK in hopes of achieving this goal.

Cort said the delegation hopes to return with a better understanding of what is hindering the process.

Until Antigua and Barbuda is placed on the white list, online gambling companies licensed in Antigua cannot legally advertise their services in the UK.

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