RGA Doesn't Like the WTO Decision Either

Filed in archive Poker Laws on December 26, 2007

If one avenue doesn't succeed try, try again. In light of last week World Trade Organization's decision for the United State to give the European Union trade concessions (worth in the tens of billions), a different gambling group have stepped up their efforts to challenge the US's prohibitory laws concerning online gambling.

The RGA (Remote Gaming Association) filed a compliant to the US on behalf of the European online gambling companies.

From Pokernews.com's Amy Calistri:

The Remote Gaming Association (RGA) has filed a complaint against the US under the European Union's Trade Barriers Regulation on behalf of European online gambling companies. Clive Hawkswood, RGA's Chief Executive said, "We have been left with no choice but to pursue all legal avenues available to challenge the US Department of Justice for its discriminatory enforcement activities against European online gaming operators."

In their press release, the RGA pointed out that while the US Department of Justice continues to claim that all online gambling is illegal and has exerted pressure on foreign online gaming companies with forfeitures and threatened prosecutions, they have left domestic online

gambling companies, specifically relating to online horseracing wagering, unfettered.

Of course more concessions could be thrown their way, but this time it's a business group with the complaint, not another government. It seems as though the only two things they could be awarded if the complaint is deemed valid.

1) More money

2) Access to U.S. bettor and dissolving the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (or amending it)

The more of these stories and complaints that come out, there is hope that one of them finally gets the point across that gambling on the internet is not going away. Much like alcohol consumption in the 30s...