IMMUNITY FROM RETROACTIVE PROSECUTION THE RGA'S MAIN
AIM (Update)
24 July 2009
As US vs. EU talks approach, trade body
outlines its goal
With World Trade Organisation negotiations between the
US Trade Representative and the Trade Commissioner of
the European Union approaching, the Remote Gaming
Association, a trade body representing the interests of
online gambling companies, has outlined its main
objectives.
The RGA's complaint about
discriminatory US enforcement against European online
gambling businesses triggered an EU investigation which
found that the complaint was well founded, leading to
the prospect of new talks between the US and the EU.
This week the CEO of Association, Clive Hawskwood,
said in an interview with EGR that indemnity from
prosecution, not compensation, remains the goal of the
trade association.
“The aim is to secure what
the European Commission deems is a reliable undertaking
that EU gambling interests won’t be pursued by the U.S.
Department of Justice for activities which should have
been under protection of WTO agreements. There’s no
issue of compensation,” Hawkswood emphasised.
“The implication of the complaint is that, yes, the US
should bring its gambling rules into compliance with
global rules on foreign trade, but the main issue for
the RGA and its members is securing this indemnity from
prosecution. Then we can talk about the other issues.”
One positive side effect of the WTO dispute and the
EU investigation has been a heightened political
interest in the issue, Hawkswood added.
“Our
complaint has interested many politicians who previously
had no interest in gambling, and have said to us: ‘We
are the champion of the WTO and global free trade, so if
we don’t stand behind this, how can we expect any other
countries to do so?’,” said Hawkswood.
Online Casino News Courtesy of
Infopowa
More news here.
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