It has been a substantial amount of time since the World Trade Organization (WTO) ordered the United States Government to abide by its decision to quit impeding and restricting the online gambling industry that is chiefly regulated by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.  The lack of action by the Americans to cease their campaign of trying to ban online casino gambling has incited Antigua to consider issuing a formal complaint with the WTO, as well as writing a formal letter to US Trade Representative, Rob Portman.

The Antigua ambassador to the WTO, John Ashe, wrote the letter, which voiced concern about two proposed bills that would outlaw internet betting in the U.S.  According to Ashe, both proposals are in direct opposition to the rulings which the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO gave in April of 2005.  The rulings, which both the U.S. and Antigua say was a victory for their cause, have called for the US to cease its attack on internet gambling in Antigua, and that remedial legislation would be required of the U.S. within an eleven month, two week compliance period.  However, with less than two months remaining on that compliance period, the U.S. has only submitted legislation that is anything but remedial in light of the WTO ruling.

The problem with the U.S. argument, is that they say the WTO rules allow states to restrict certain forms of trade (gambling) if they were in opposition to moral grounds.  However, there are certain states in the U.S. which allow horse betting via electronic means, which the WTO says is discrimination against foreign vendors.  The banning of online casino gambling by the U.S. would call for a ban on foreign trade in this realm, yet would tolerate certain forms of the industry within in its own borders.  According to the WTO, that is not free trade.

Spokesperson for the US Trade Representative said the American Government still has allotted time remaining in the compliance window, and that several solutions to meet the WTO's rulings are being explored.  They went on to further say that the solutions all will insure there is no discrimination, whether it be through legislation or governmental actions.