Antigua US gaming dispute

A decision in the long drawn-out gaming dispute between Antigua and the United States may be announced soon.



Attorney for Antigua and Barbuda, Mark Mendel, says negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the US have been ongoing.



He said the talks are as a result of a challenge made by the Antiguan government to the United States government concerning the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.



The Act prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to any non-US Internet gambling site with notable exceptions including fantasy sports, online lotteries and horseracing.



This Act effectively barrred gaming companies in Antigua from interacting with the lucrative US market and crippled those in the industry that held Antigua-originated licences.



However, the twin-island state claimed that the Act was a direct violation of obligations that the US has with the World Trade Organization (WTO).



The WTO upheld the claim, which later resulted in attempts by the US to shirk its obligations.



If a formal complaint is put forward to the WTO, it could mean a payout of millions of dollars in trade damages by the United States.