September 12 - The World Trade Organization (WTO) has become the latest platform
for the ongoing and 'heated' dispute between Caribbean-based online casino operators and the
US government.
The WTO has asked the US to clearly define its policies towards the legality of
online gambling by no later than April next year.
To date the United States has only 'relaxed' its position regarding horse race betting
online, but continues to maintain its ban on most other forms of online
gambling.
One particular gambling jurisdiction based in the Caribbean, Antigua, feels that it is
specifically being targeted and penalized by the US.
Representatives from Antigua were seeking clarity at the WTO as to how the US
could allow online horse race betting on one hand, but disallow traditional
casino Internet gambling on the other.
Many Caribbean territories are claiming that their economies have been severely affected
since the WTO supported the US-driven online casino ban in April last year.
However, many of the Caribbean territories perceive the US government's relaxed stance on online
horse betting as a positive move towards eventually relaxing all bans on online gambling and
online casinos.
