The US Congress is to try again to ban gambling websites.
An act has been introduced to the House of Representatives which will prohibit gambling to state borders, disallowing firms from soliciting credit card payments and internet transfers from beyond their licensed area.
The law is intended to update current gambling laws which restrict telephone betting between states.
But the proposal may fall fowl of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling against the US made in August 2005, which stated that legislators must not frustrate US citizens access to overseas gambling sites. The act could force ISPs to ban access to online gambling sites which fall outside of US jurisdiction.
Antiga's ambassador to the WTO John Ashe expressed his country's disappointment with US legislators, claiming that the new law breaks WTO ruling.
'Each of the bills is in key respects expressly contrary to the rulings and the recommendations of the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation,' he wrote in a letter to US trade representative Rob Portman.
The US has until April to comply with the ruling, after which it may be subject to trade sanctions from Antiga and Bermuda.
© 2006 Adfero Ltd.
An act has been introduced to the House of Representatives which will prohibit gambling to state borders, disallowing firms from soliciting credit card payments and internet transfers from beyond their licensed area.
The law is intended to update current gambling laws which restrict telephone betting between states.
But the proposal may fall fowl of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling against the US made in August 2005, which stated that legislators must not frustrate US citizens access to overseas gambling sites. The act could force ISPs to ban access to online gambling sites which fall outside of US jurisdiction.
Antiga's ambassador to the WTO John Ashe expressed his country's disappointment with US legislators, claiming that the new law breaks WTO ruling.
'Each of the bills is in key respects expressly contrary to the rulings and the recommendations of the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation,' he wrote in a letter to US trade representative Rob Portman.
The US has until April to comply with the ruling, after which it may be subject to trade sanctions from Antiga and Bermuda.
© 2006 Adfero Ltd.