Opposition to US Gaming Law Growing

After battling the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for five years now, the tiny offshore licensing haven of Antigua and Barbuda has just won a ruling in its favor. Though the little Caribbean island still faces a very steep uphill climb in its quest to have the US abolish the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act legislated this past September and signed into law by George Bush in October. However, increasingly more forces are now entering the fray, namely not-so-small regions like China.

While the Americans are deeply upset over China for pirating copyright material like movies and software, just to name a few, any attempt by the US to file a complaint with the WTO would immediately spell hypocrisy. And that's precisely the problem, according to increasing number of online gambling advocates including Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and the chief spokesman for the Poker Players Alliance, Alfonse D'Amato. The debate is already gaining more publicity. The Los Angeles Times ran an editorial just days ago calling on the US to end its prohibition on Internet gambling.

D'Amato considers the ban on Internet poker blatantly hypocritical, while state lotteries, fantasy sports and horse racing are free to accept wagers. Barney Frank is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and is expected to introduce legislation to repeal the UIGEA once the House returns on April 17th from a 2-week recess.

According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, annual US losses to Chinese copyright piracy are estimated to range from $2.5 billion to $3.8 billion.

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