If the law that is planned to be signed by United States President, George
W. Bush, on Friday is actually signed and enforced, it would be a direct
spitting in the face of the United States to the World Trade Organization.
The WTO claims that the exemptions in the US Internet Gambling Prohibition
Bill for horse racing and state run lotteries discriminates against foreign
internet gambling companies. The case brought to the US by the WTO
representing Antigua and Barbuda mean nothing to the US, however, if the
United Kingdom and/or the European Union get involved the United States
could face some mighty troubles. The EU already expressed interest in the
WTO case claiming that the new US legislation confirms that the US is
breaking WTO laws against protectionism. “To the extent that the legislation
eliminates foreign competition for activities that remain lawful in the
U.S., such as online betting on state-licensed horseracing, or
state-licensed casino gambling that meets federal guidelines, there’s no
doubt it raises WTO issues,” said Jonathan M. Winer, a Washington attorney.
We will see in the coming weeks how the US really feels about violating WTO
rulings.