Legal Battle May Resume Between U.S. And Antigua and Barbuda

The final meeting has been set. The legal battle that has been going on between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda will once again surface in a couple of weeks.

That is unless the two sides can come to some kind of a compromise. Antigua and Barbuda is seeking compensation from the U.S. regarding a trade dispute over Internet gambling companies that register in the Caribbean.

The World Trade Organization has agreed to suspend making a ruling until a June 6th deadline. The two sides have until then to resolve the issue, or else it is back to the legal battle.

The Minister of Finance and Economy Dr. Errol Cort is in the U.S. this week and a Friday meeting is set to try and resolve the dispute. The case has been going on for several years.

It originated back in 2003 when Antigua accused the U.S. of violating trade treaties by not allowing Internet gambling companies that were registered in the Caribbean, to operate within the U.S.

The U.S. got off relatively easy when the WTO awarded Antigua a settlement of $21 million per year for trade sanctions. The U.S. has ignored that decision, however, and faces stiffer penalties by the WTO if the dispute is not resolved.

May 22, 2008
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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