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U.S. confirms loss in WTO Internet gambling case

The World Trade organization has ruled against the United States in an Internet gambling case, Reuters is reporting.

The news agency said a U.S. Trade Representative spokeswoman downplayed the significance the WTO's decision that the U.S. had not complied with 2005 ruling against restrictions on online horse race betting.

"The panel report clarifies that compliance does not necessarily require new legislation, but could instead involve other steps, such as administrative or judicial action," Gretchen Hamel told Reuters.

The final public report is expected in March.

The decision stems from a case filed by Antigua and Barbuda in 2003. It charged the U.S. had violated the WTO by not allowing bets to be placed electronically across the state lines.

In 2005, the WTO ruled that foreign horse betting operations had been harmed and asked the U.S. to redress the situation.