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A World Trade Organization decision on the amount of retaliation that Antigua and Barbuda can impose on the United States in an Internet gambling trade dispute won’t come out on Friday as expected, a U.S. trade official said.
“We understand the report has been delayed,” said Gretchen Hamel, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
Reuters Broke the Story and summed up the Antiga situation.
The CGW story has some analysis on the possibilities of a good or bad ruling for Antigua on the industry…
Consequences of the imminent ruling will be felt across many sectors of the online gambling industry. If the compensation ruling gives billions of dollars to Antigua, then the US will be in a situation that may see them forced to overturn the illegal UIGEA law they passed last year. Also, if the compensation claim is high the European Union will likely see astronomical claims relative to the Antigua decision. This too will push the US to change their stance.
Is it truely a delay to make it look niceer and work out the kinks or is it last minute break for the US to rectify the UIGEA before sanctions are imposed? I really do not think congress would be able to react that fast though even if they wanted to.
“They’ll let us know on Monday precisely what day to expect it,” Mendel said before meeting with House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee members and other lawmakers to discuss the case.
Mendel said the papers of the ruling are probably having the finishing touches put on them today, and then the ruling needs to be translated.
As everyone knows, Mark Mendel is the attorney for Antigua in this case.
Pokerlistings Talks to Mendel About Delay
“I think it should be before Christmas,” he told PokerListings.com
Mendel also said the delay hasn’t affected his optimism toward a favorable decision from the panel.
“We presented a fantastic case,” he said. “I don’t see how we don’t get a high figure, really.”
