European Commission Launches Formal Investigation Of U.S. Internet Gambling Policies

The United States has been dodging bullets for a long time when it comes to their policies on Internet gambling. Several inquiries have been made into whether the U.S. has committed trade violations for their discrimination against European online gaming companies.

The European Commission has let the matter go on for longer than it would have liked, and because of that, have now launched an investigation of the United States' actions.

"The cumulative effect of U.S. WTO related actions over the past year have forced the European Union to take this drastic step. The line of inquiry opened by the questionnaire could reveal that the U.S. is engaging in unfair, discriminatory, and selective prosecution of European online gaming operators," said Naotaka Matsukata, a senior advisor to Alston & Bird, LLP.

While the dispute is rising against the United States, there are ways to avoid having further sanctions. Representative Barney Frank has sponsored a Bill that would end the trade debate by regulating online gambling.

The latest investigation has caused concern to many. "Congress should not sit on the sidelines as the USTR unilaterally grants trade concessions and hypocritically discriminates against against foreign online gambling operators. Congress needs to become part of the decision making process and create a non-discriminatory market for Internet gambling in the U.S. as a way to restore integrity to the international trading system," said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative.

Once the investigation is complete, the European Commission could work with the U.S. to find a way to stop the discrimination. If those efforts fail, a case could be pursued against the U.S. to the WTO.

May 30, 2008
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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