Antigua May Impose Sanctions on the US

July 15, 2010 | News Category: Gaming Law

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Since 2007, Antigua and Barbuda has been in negotiations with the government of the United States regarding an online gambling dispute, with no positive results to show. The World Trade Organization already approved sanctions on the US some time ago, and since the negotiations between the two parties is almost non-existent, Antigua is considering following through with the World Trade Organization-endorsed sanctions.

The Antigua Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer spoke to told reporters that if the US did not work harder to find a negotiated solution, then his government would impose sanctions on the US. Although there have been some negotiations over the past three years, Prime Minister Spencer said that they had been fruitless, and that the situation for online gambling companies based in Antigua is somewhat worse, rather than better.

Prime Minister Spencer said: “Antigua and Barbuda is concerned that the negotiations are being protracted, with no potential end in sight.” Because of this, he intends to try and meet with US President Barack Obama as soon as possible in order to find an acceptable solution.

Spencer continued: “In light of the obvious unwillingness of the United States to reach a negotiated settlement that takes into account the contribution of the sector to the economic well-being of Antigua and Barbuda, we have brought the matter before the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which has supported Antigua and Barbuda's position on this matter from the inception.”

Spencer is expecting to receive full support from the Caribbean Community since their role is to help protect the interests of their member nations, of which Antigua and Barbuda is one. He is expecting that the Caribbean Community will help put pressure on the United States regarding this issue, so that it can be settled once and for all, since the economy of his Caribbean island is suffering without any resolution on this issue.

The online gambling sector of the Antiguan economy has suffered greatly, causing unemployment, as many companies have moved away from Antigua because there has been no resolution with the United States regarding online gambling issues.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Spencer noted: "Given the debilitating impact of the fiscal and economic crisis (perpetrated) on our economy and the apparent disinterest of the United States in dealing decisively with this matter, Antigua and Barbuda may have no other alternative but to signal to the WTO that we wish to impose sanctions. We are fast running out of options."