Using the World Trade Organization's ruling against the United States for ceasing to honor its commitment to free trade - specifically in regards to its banning of offshore online casinos hosted in Antigua and Barbuda - the European Union is claiming compensation for due losses incurred by European online gambling companies. Leading up to the WTO deadline for similar compensation, the U.S. is no doubt feeling pressure from the international community at large.

An EU official is on record stating that although the financial compensation demands have been given, concessions to open up new markets would suffice for equivalent compensation. Considering that European nations have lost out on approximately half of the world online gambling market, which is valued at approximately $6 billion, it would seem a whole gamut of trade sectors would need to be opened if equivalent compensation is to be had.

Understandably, these demands will likely entail lengthy negotiations, the bulk of which would probably focus on the exact losses incurred by European Union member countries and equivalent compensation. However, considering the way the U.S. has bullied Antigua and Barbuda, and essentially told the WTO it will do whatsoever it pleases - even if that means retracting its commitment to the 1994 WTO treaty signed by 150 other nations - the European Union could be facing blockhead resistance.

In the meantime, there is still hope that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which is fraught with carve outs for online sports betting, horse racing and lotteries, will be overturned and the U.S. will begin regulating online casinos on a State by State basis. House Financial Services Committee hearings are currently taking place to drum up congressional support for the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, and there is progress being made to initiate a lengthy study of the online gambling industry in the U.S.