US Ban On Internet Gambling Breaks WTO Rules | IXGAMES
U.S. laws banning Internet gambling break international trade rules, a European Union report said Thursday. Ending a formal 12-month investigation into the matter, the E.U. has concluded that U.S. moves to bar European online gambling companies from operating in the U.S. constitute an obstacle to trade. Although proceedings at the World Trade Organization would be justified, the E.U should seek a negotiated solution with the U.S. government on the matter, the report said. E.U. Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton said: “It is for the U.S. to decide how best to regulate Internet gambling in its market, but this must be done in a way that fully respects WTO obligations.” (I am hopeful that we can find a swift, negotiated solution to this issue,” she said). 
In 2006, the U.S. Congress passed legislation making it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites. The move hit European Internet gambling companies hard, slashing billions of euros off their market value. Nefeterius McPherson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office in Washington, said her agency and the Department of Justice *are studying the report and will discuss it with the European Commission.* This is positive news for the Online Gambling industry as it’s another sign the EU is continuing with a reasonable approach on the issues surrounding the regulation of online gaming,” said Gavin Kelleher, lead analyst at online gambling consultancy H2 Gambling Capital. Positive News Regards ixgames.com