E.U. concludes US gambling investigation

[The Buzz]

The European Union finished its investigation into the U.S. clampdown on E.U. online gaming companies last month and its report is scheduled to be released later in March.

According to PokerPages, "it reportedly will conclude that the United States did violate global trade agreements by targeting EU online gaming companies for legal enforcement while allowing corresponding U.S. companies to operate freely in the US market upon passage of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act."

Sources familiar with the probe's findings said the Commission is expected to recommend taking action against the U.S. to the World Trade Organization (WTO). But they first expect the EU executive, who oversees trade policy for the 27-nation bloc, to try to dialogue with the new Obama administration to negotiate a solution before they go to the global trade watchdog body, the WTO, with a legal case.

"The report next month will back the EU's position," a source told Reuters in Brussels late February, "but the Commission intends to deliver its findings to Washington which it hopes will persuade the US to start bilateral talks to find a solution without going to the WTO."

"A case would take a very long time tied up at the WTO and in the current spirit of avoiding protectionist moves in line with the G20 (Group of 20 emerging and industrial nations) statement, action should be avoided," the source added.

[Amateur]

Step by step things are moving, if the industry can keep from imploding in the meantime.

With the upcoming lawsuit, and Rep Barney Frank introducing a bill to repeal the UIGEA, hopefully some results will show by the end of the year. Hopefully!!

[Simmo!]

The problem is the US either wont do anything, or will try to buy their way out. Or worse still, they will make a "trade off" like they offered to with Antigua where another sector like musicians or film-makers get (or give up) something. Wasn't it something to do with Fed-Ex if I remember right being used to compensate the violations? Something weird that had no benefit for the industry at all.

[Betpartners]

The EU as a bloc is richer with more economic might that the USA but they wont force it because they EU cannot agree on anything ever.

If they did agree then they could force the USA to abide by the law but your better off waiting for Bush to become a middle east peace envoy before that happens

[Spearmaster]

The problem is the US either wont do anything, or will try to buy their way out. Or worse still, they will make a "trade off" like they offered to with Antigua where another sector like musicians or film-makers get (or give up) something. Wasn't it something to do with Fed-Ex if I remember right being used to compensate the violations? Something weird that had no benefit for the industry at all.

Basically, performance copyrights - something to the effect of they would allow Antigua to violate these copyrights without retaliation.

Load of BS, in my opinion - and Europe will likely be offered something similar.

[Caruso]

If the super-corrupt EU try to "tell" the US admin to do anything, I bloody well hope they tell them where to stick it.

[Amateur]

The fact is that the "good ole boys" in the US are getting their a**es handed to them these days. Times are changing, and yes, it may take a while, but people are fed up with the fact that the same folks trying to tell them what to do, are the very s same ones who have been ripping everyone off for years now.

It's up to us to make it known that this is a new day, and things have to change. I personally met with my congressman when I was in Washington, DC in Jan, and expressed how I felt about all this. Sure, I'm just one person, bu lots of "one persons" add up. Froze my a** off waiting to get in the bldg cause the line thru the scanner was so long. My senator is a Repub., and wasn't in town, but I've talked to him too about this same issue.

Needless to say, the economic issues have been a priority, but other things are being dealt with in the course of time, as well. We must keep at it to get this done now. The most important thing we needed is in place to get some changes made.

It's not easy, but it is simple.

[COPCapo]

If the super-corrupt EU try to "tell" the US admin to do anything, I bloody well hope they tell them where to stick it.

super corrupt EU ?????? dont know where u have that they are corrupt, im thinking more that the USA , which doesnt care of UNFCCC and her rules and try to work against all steps to safe the environment ... I know that has nothing to do with gambling acts and like that, but to say that the EU is corrupt and that the USA shld say them where they can stick it its more as stupid, Im sry

The USA is trying to work against all if they dont see any benefits from them and im also sure and every honest US citizen must say the same, they work now for years for her Industry and her rights and not for the normal US citizens

Thanks God, that they choose Obame as President now, which is helping the citizens and not the Industry Lobby