EU may file complaint against U.S. concerning Internet gambling
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The European Union launched an investigation Monday into U.S. laws on Internet gambling, according to a story by The Associated Press.
European betting companies are complaining that the United States’ actions against them are infringing world trade rules.
As a result, the EU may file a complaint at the World Trade Organization in the latest international argument about online gambling.
According to the AP story:
“The U.S. has the right to address legitimate public policy concerns relating to Internet gambling, but discrimination against EU companies cannot be part of the policy mix,” said EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. He said he hoped the issue could be resolved amicably.
European companies claim a U.S. ban that forced them out of the lucrative American market discriminates against them in violation of WTO rules, while permitting domestic gambling companies, particularly those offering betting on horse races, to flourish.
In 2006, the WTO had ruled against a U.S. ban that stops American banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online gambling businesses outside the country.
In December, Antigua and Barbuda won a ruling against the U.S. in a similar case. The small Caribbean nation won the right to impose yearly sanctions of $21 million (€14 million) against the U.S. for its restrictions on online betting. However, the country was seeing $3.4 billion in damages.
