The Caribbean Community and Common Market, CariCom has thrown their weight behind the small island nation of Antigua and Barbuda in their efforts to combat the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006.Antigua brought the dispute to the World Trade Organization who recently ruled in favor of Antigua, declaring the US must remove prejudice legislation which allows remote betting within their country, but not from offshore markets. The United States, however has yet to respond with any action.
Antigua and Barbuda then filed a lawsuit in US District Court in June against the US Attorney General (Alberto Gonzalez), the US Federal Trade Commission and the US Federal Reserve to put a halt to enforcement of the UIGEA.
The Caribbean nation’s suit seeks formal annual trade sanctions of $3.4 billion to offset the losses of their Internet gaming industry and overall economy, which consist of 80,000 residents.
The support of CariCom is not to be taken lightly, as it includes 28 nations – 17 members and 11 observers – first established in 1973. The goal of CariCom is “the eventual integration of it’s members and economies, and the creation of a common market.” CariCom members include:
Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands,Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago.
CariCom’s 28th Heads of Government Conference is currently being held in Barbados, calling on the US government to comply with the recent WTO rulings. Antigua’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer said, “This matter has been fully ventilated at the conference and the position of CariCom is that Antigua and Barbuda should be fully supported by CariCom in this matter because it should have serious implications for the region going forward as we seek to develop the financial services sector in the region.”
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.