WTO Rebuffs U.S. on Internet Betting Ban

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

WTO Rebuffs U.S. on Internet Betting Ban
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Mar 31, 3:36 AM (ET)

By BRADLEY S. KLAPPER

GENEVA (AP) - The U.S. has failed to change its ban on Internet betting to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling that said the legislation unfairly targets offshore casinos, the global trade body said Friday.

The ruling opens the door to possible commercial sanctions against the U.S.

In a 215-page decision, a three-member WTO compliance panel sided with the twin Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which has argued that Internet gambling is a lucrative source of revenue and provides an income for hundreds of islanders.

The Geneva-based trade referee has said Washington can maintain restrictions on online gambling, as long as its laws are equally applied to American operators offering remote betting on horse racing.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070331/D8O70V9G0.html

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