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European Union Seems to Support IGREA |
Alternative online casinos legislation seems to have gotten another powerful support last week when Peter Mandelson, the European Union Trade Commission made a specific and intentional visit to speak with Congressman Barney Frank while Mandelson was visiting Washington, DC. The online casino issue is of specific concern with the EU because the U.S. is currently in trade compensation negotiations with the EU – and they have stalled and pushed back several times because the U.S. Trade Representatives are reluctant to compromise and adequately compensate the 27 nations of the EU. SO, to that end, it seems that Mandelson has taking the initiative to go directly to the U.S. Congress in hopes of finding a workable solution to the international online casino gambling debate.
Currently, the EU has asked for a $100 billion in compensation for the loss of free trade rights within the online casino gambling industry. Specifically, the U.S. withdrew long-standing World Trade Organisation commitments so that it would not have to alter the highly debated Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
But beyond the compensation claims, Mandelson also seeks to seriously address the inconsistent and discriminating U.S. online casino gambling legislation. The U.S. currently allows in-state betting and other activities via the internet, but yet strictly bans all offshore online casino and betting companies from accessing the U.S. market. Mandelson’s meeting with Frank presumably centered on Franks UIGEA neutralizing legislation, the Internet Gambling Regulation Enforcement Act (IGREA) which would re-open the market to offshore online casino gambling companies but would stress responsible and safe gambling practices.
A Brussels trade expert, Lode Van Den Hende, commented on the current state of online casino related negotiations. He notes that "since the U.S. Trade Representative's sole interest seems to be to continue to violate U.S. treaty obligations under the WTO, it is incumbent upon the E.U. to work directly with the U.S. Congress to develop a responsible solution." |
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