Antigua and Barbuda Hoping For Better WTO Result This Time

The first arbitration hearing held was a disappointment for Antigua and Barbuda. They were seeking $3.4 billion from the United States in a remote gaming dispute. They received an award of only $21 million.

An arbitrator only awarded them that money based on the idea that they were only to be compensated for horse racing, and not all online gaming.

They feel more confident this time around. They have filed a second notice last month. They believe that the outcome of the first arbitration will not affect how the second one will end up.

"It is pretty much the opinion of WTO experts and other country delegations that limiting the damages to horse racing was completely wrong and the experts I have spoken to believe that that ruling will not be followed because it is so completely wrong," said Attorney for Antigua and Barbuda, Mark Mendel, in an interview with the Antigua Sun.

The United States has made no effort to pay the compensation, and that is if they are intending to pay at all. Mendel believes the U.S. is just drawing out the process. "The reality is that they are just using the process as much as they can to try to extend things out and make things more difficult on us, as they are entitled to do, but we just have to be prepared for that and soldier on," said Mendel.

The process for the second arbitration could take a while. It could end up being another six months before the new arbitration ruling comes down.

February 14, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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