Bdos: Antigua, 1 - U.S., 0

THE WIND OF CHANGE continued to blow in Antigua last week for other than election purposes. Another victory was won at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) where, in an interim ruling, it was held that a United States law criminalising online betting was contrary to international treaties.

Antigua brought this case to the WTO last year on the grounds that by restricting Internet gambling by its citizens, the United States was unfairly damaging Antigua’s economy, in contravention of the General Agreement on Trade and Services.

It is reported that as many as 5 000, out of its 68 000 population, including many well educated and computer literate, were employed by online casinos, which have declined drastically because the law was designed specifically to restrict them.