ANTIGUA DECISION EXPECTED FRIDAY (Update)

21 December 2007

WTO arbitration findings to be released midday


The final chapter in the long-running online gambling trade dispute between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States is scheduled to take place today (Friday) when the World Trade Organisation arbitration panel announces what retaliatory trade measures the Antiguans may take in response to the discriminatory trade practices of the Americans regarding online gambling restrictions.

Antigua is asking for $3.4 billion worth of redress, whilst the US Trade Representative has suggested that $500 000 may be a more practical figure. Antigua's lead legal counsel, Mark Mendel has said repeatedly that the Antiguan claim is factually and independently based on realistic expectations, and he anticipates a successful outcome.

The WTO has already found in favour of Antigua regarding the discriminatory nature of US legislation on Internet gambling, a development which caused the US to unilaterally withdraw gambling from it's WTO trade obligations. This in turn resulted in a number of trading partners, including the 27 nation European Union, claiming compensation .

Thus far the Americans have settled with the EU, Canadian and Japanese negotiators on a range of concessions, none of which directly compensate European online gambling firms badly mauled by US legislation last year which forced them out of the US market. Those firms, under the aegis of trade group the Remote Gambling Association, are now seeking further action against the US from the European Union.

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