US President talks with Antigua Prime Minister about Internet gambling issue

(Antigua & Barbuda).- Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer raised the country’;s Internet gambling dispute with the US during the meeting between Caricom leaders and United States President George W. Bush.

2007-06-26

United States

Reading time 1:28 min

Prime Minister Spencer spoke of Antigua & Barbuda’s desire to settle the matter with the United States over the Internet Gaming dispute which the country has won at every stage at the WTO.

It was also pointed out to President Bush that by today Antigua & Barbuda will make application to the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation for certain remedies because of the US non-compliance with its ruling.

Spencer noted that President Bush said he was aware of the details of the dispute and was pleased that the matter was raised and pledged to look into the matter in an effort to reach a resolution. The prime minister said he was optimistic that the president will do as he said and this was evident from the interest shown in the matter by Thomas Shannon, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs who inquired of the details of the dispute.

Since the discussions with the United States president, Antigua & Barbuda, pursuant to Article 22.2 of the WTO’s Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, has requested authorisation from the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO to suspend the application to the United States of concessions and related obligations of Antigua & Barbuda under the General Agreement on Trade in Services and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Antigua & Barbuda, according to a press release, is aiming for the effective withdrawal of concessions and other obligations so as to match the level of nullification or impairment of benefits accruing to Antigua & Barbuda, amounting to an annual value of us$ 3.443 billion, as a result of the United State’s failure, as of 3 April, 2006, to bring its measures affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services into compliance with the GATS.

Antigua & Barbuda has held discussions with the United States with a view towards agreement on compensation, but to date these discussions have not resulted in any agreement. The Caribbean country remains hopeful that further discussions may result in the resolution of the issue.

Complaints for compensation from the EU, India, Japan, Costa Rica and other nations have also been filed.