|
PokerPages > Poker News > Poker News
Poker News - Poker News
Search News:
WTO Gambling Settlements Now Scrutinized by Barney Frank and Ron PaulTue, Apr 1st, 2008 @ 12:00am House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass), and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) recently sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab requesting the details of a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, Japan and Canada negotiated December 2007 to compensate those nations for the US withdrawing from their GATS gambling commitments in order to deny online poker and online gambling operators access to the US market. The congressmen's letter, dated March 14, 2008, was published in a press release this week. In it, they ask about the concessions the agreement granted, saying: "Press reports have indicated that new trade opportunities will be provided in the postal and courier, research and development, storage and warehouse, and testing and analysis sectors, but no dollar amount has been attached to these new concessions, and very few specifics have been provided." Referencing articles in the media, and attaching a reference to an article that appeared in CQ Weekly describing how the USTR Office denied a request for the details of the agreement by citing national security, Congressmen Frank and Paul asked: "If, in fact, there are some additional trade concessions that were made that do have national security implications, we request a secure briefing on those issues. However, if this is merely an attempt to avoid revealing the cost of these trade concessions, either because they would be viewed as too costly by the United States or not costly enough by the negotiating countries, this FOIA denial on the grounds of "national security" would appear to be a misuse of the FOIA process." IN TIME FOR THE APRIL 2 HEARING? In light of the April 2nd Congressional hearing on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that was at the heart of the World Trade Organization's later rulings against the United States, Frank and Paul end their letter asking for a speedy reply, saying: "We need to know how much the United States government has conceded in furtherance of this ill-advised policy, in addition to the losses we have already sustained at the WTO, and we expect a prompt response to this request." For the full text of the letter in PDF format, including the article reference, click here. For the regular formatted letter (without enclosure), click here. This is the second time this month that a congressional rep has requested full disclosure of the concessions the USTR Office granted without Congressional approval. Earlier this month, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) also formally requested such details (click here for related article). Read Related Articles:
More Poker News Articles
Fabrice Soulier Joins Everest Poker's Pro Roster To further strengthen its support for French poker in anticipation of the opening of that market, Everest Poker has signed renowned French poker pro Fabrice Soulier as its latest ambassador.
HHPT Co-Sponsors Bayou Poker Challenge Ladies Event Dec. 20 The HighHeelsPokerTour (HHPT), the first all women's poker tour launched on the East coast, will wrap up their 2009 schedule at Harrah's New Orleans on December 20th where they will co-sponsor the Ladies Event #14 no-limit Hold'em at 12 pm.
OPPAGA Reports on Florida's Online Poker Options Given that UIGEA permits individual states to regulate online poker, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) published a report this week presenting three options available to Florida State lawmakers in order to protect consumers from unlawful internet poker: regulate it, prohibit it, or carry on with the status quo pending federal legislation.
BC Poker Champion Arrested, Charged with Manslaughter Just two days after taking down the BC Poker Championships Main Event, Sophon Sek of Cloverdale, BC, was arrested in connection with one of the most storied crimes in the Province's history.
Local Businessman Bags European Poker Tour Vilamoura Bling The European Poker Tour rolled into the Casino Vilamoura last week, instantly generating the richest poker prize pool in the nation of Portugal's history.
Keikoan Captures Harvey's Lake Tahoe WSOPC Championship This week marked the finale of the biggest annual tournament series in Northern Nevada, the WSOP Circuit championship at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. While the Main Event saw only a modest turnout, it did boast of a tough final table, and a WSOP bracelet owner as the eventual champion.
WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada to Appear on Letterman The poker world will receive some late night attention tonight as "The Kid" Joe Cada, the youngest champion in the four decade history of the World Series of Poker Main Event, takes a seat next to embattled talk show host David Letterman.
First Korean Champ of Asia Pacific Poker Tour Crowned in Cebu Another stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in the books, this time it's the APPT Cebu in the Philippines, and for the very first time a Korean player has come out on top.
Pollack Done as Commish of World Series of Poker Just three days after crowning Joe Cada as the 2009 Main Event champion, officially closing the special 40th anniversary run of the World Series of Poker, Jeffrey Pollack has resigned his post as Commissioner of the WSOP.
Durrrr Signs as Team Full Tilt's Youngest Member Tom "durrrr" Dwan is the newest member of Team Full Tilt, the online site's highest level of affiliation. At 23, Dwan is the youngest of the now 14-person team. The high stakes cash phenomenon was nominated for induction this year into the Poker Hall of Fame until the Hall of Fame Governing Council decided he was too young to meet the "has stood the test of time" qualification. |
 Online Poker »
Poker News »
Blog Coverage
Top News
Fabrice Soulier Joins Everest Poker's...
HHPT Co-Sponsors Bayou Poker Challenge... BC Poker Champion Arrested, Charged with... Top Tournaments
|
Discuss this article in our forum
Print this article
All Poker and free play poker content ©2009 Advanced Global Applications, LLC. All rights reserved.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, visit either: National Council on Problem Gambling or Gamblers Anonymous International Service