LA Times - Get rid of gambling restrictions!

[Dominique]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...ent-editorials

EDITORIAL
Get rid of gambling restrictions
The U.S. doesn't mind the lottery, but when it comes to sports betting across interstate or international boundaries, all bets are off. They shouldn't be.
April 8, 2007


ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, former British colonies on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, are smaller than Los Angeles and less populous than Burbank. Yet they may be able to force the world's most powerful government to change its gambling laws.

Not since 1960 has it been legal under federal law to place or take bets on sports using interstate or international phone lines. The Federal Wire Act of 1961 and subsequent measures also have been interpreted to ban online gambling as well, or at least gambling on sports. At issue is whether those laws constitute "arbitrary and unjustifiable discrimination" against foreign firms.

Do they? Antigua and Barbuda argue that they do — and the World Trade Organization agrees. So do we.

Realistically, the ban has had little effect. It hasn't stopped Americans from betting (and losing) millions of dollars at online casinos and bookmaking operations based in other countries. Nevertheless, U.S. policy has irritated many of its trading partners, including Antigua and Barbuda, which asked the WTO in 2003 to rule that U.S. gambling restrictions violated an international treaty governing trade in services.

Eventually, in 2005, a WTO appeals panel accepted the U.S. argument that its gambling restrictions were needed to protect public order and morals. But by permitting off-track betting parlors in the U.S., the WTO ruled, Congress created an exception to the ban on remote gambling that discriminated against foreign bookmakers. After two more years of wrangling over what the panel's order meant, a WTO tribunal ruled late last month that the U.S. remained out of compliance.

So the U.S. faces trade sanctions from the WTO unless Congress does one of two things: Either acknowledge that betting on horses from overseas is no greater threat to the nation's moral fiber than it is at an OTB parlor, or make OTB parlors illegal.

Maybe it doesn't have the stomach for either. If so, then Antigua and Barbuda may want to ask the WTO to ponder why allowing the interstate sale of lottery tickets — a form of state-sponsored gambling — is any less hypocritical than the U.S. stance on thoroughbreds and trotters.

[pgaming]

A very valid argument Dominique. They really get me wound up pretty good.

Sometimes I think the WTO should be renamed to the USWTO (United States World Trade Organization). I can’t speak for all Canadians but I sense the general consensus here is one of distaste. Our politicians have scored major points for denying the U.S persistent bullying tactics. Canadian’s will be quick to give the middle finger if the BS flies north.

Canada has not forgotten the rude and often arrogant attitude of this current administration. First there was the softwood lumber dispute. The WTO ruled in our favour but almost crippled our industry. Second America accused Canada of letting in World Trade Centre bombers into the United States and then refused to apologize to the country when it was proven to be false, and in fact they continued to perpetuate this lie.

Third, the big mad cow scare the U.S refused to open it borders even when proved over and over again our beef was good. Fourth, Canadians do not appreciate U.S nuclear subs in our sovereign waters. The U.S claims they are international waters, untrue says our Government. Does the U.S respect our sovereignty? I think not.

Canada allows the small town of Kahnawake to exist out of respect, and fear. Has any operator been arrested? I don’t think so and yet the U.S moves forward in arresting others. What a sick double standard the U.S has created. Maybe they worry over tribal warfare breaking out. This would be exactly what they would get.

Would the Canadian Government continue to be bullied whipped by the U.S? I don’t think so. The distaste has been lingering around since W took office. Canada said no way to the U.S when it came to Iraq. This war was not sanctioned by the U.N, meaning the United Nations. Funny though I don't know one Canadian who doesn't support the U.S troops serving in Iraq. Today six Canadians soldiers were killed fighting the Taliban.

Canada believes in the WTO and I can only hope we join the fight. The WTO stands for the WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. Not an organization tailored made for super economies or powers. The U.S policy makers should take it into consideration. Build the track for online gambling and play by the rules.

BTW: In regards to the article a good find and straight to the point! After reading I felt a little despaired. History has shown Canada and the world the WTO ruling against the U.S has little impact on trade issues. I feel it will take more countries to support the WTO ruling to knock down this “elephant”. On the upside good to see an American News Paper publishing the story

Greek39

[Webzcas]

InfoPowa Report on this: http://www.betsage.com/gamblingnews/...7/getridof.htm

[big fish]

it really is rediculous. now the us is wanting to bring charges against china for piracy via the wto http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/...ade/index.html . i can not understand how the government can act this way. it just does not make sense. not to me anyway. of course i understand why we are brining charges against china - but how we can ignore the wto ruling for years - and then bring up charges of our own baffles me.

[mojo]

it really is rediculous. now the us is wanting to bring charges against china for piracy via the wto http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/...ade/index.html . i can not understand how the government can act this way. it just does not make sense. not to me anyway. of course i understand why we are brining charges against china - but how we can ignore the wto ruling for years - and then bring up charges of our own baffles me.

You would think that the US would need to comply with it's own recent ruling before using the WTO as a venue against China. That would certainly come up as hypocritical.

Mojo

[pgaming]

While the U.S protects its interest around the globe they should start respecting the interests of other countries first. The U.S using the WTO to crack down on China is obscene and hypocritical. This sort of thing really baffles me. The sooner W is out the better.

I miss the U.S that was ten years ago.

Greek39

[The Buzz]

It's interesting. Churches will run bingo games, but preach against gambling. Governments will legislate against gambling, but run lotteries. And moralists will rail against gambling, but still play the slots while they're in Vegas. It all reeks of hypocrisy.

Also, with land-based casinos popping up everywhere in the U.S., it looks like the moral majority has given up its fight against land-based gaming and shifted arenas into the online space.

[Dominique]

The positive in this is that the LA Times, a mainstream paper, it taking a clear stance here.

The U.S. doesn't mind the lottery, but when it comes to sports betting across interstate or international boundaries, all bets are off. They shouldn't be.

and

Antigua and Barbuda argue that they do — and the World Trade Organization agrees. So do we.

I do see more and more mainstream news veering off the path of just condemning online gambling, actually doing some research and portraying a more realistic picture.

That's encouraging!

[The Buzz]

Dominque is right. Any time a mainstream paper like the LA Times takes a clear, well-reasoned stance like this on online gambling, it's very encouraging.

[TheGooner]

I sounds very good - and is a well written editorial.

But LA is a strange town - so how influential is the local newspaper?
And does anyone actually read it?

I mean - would be be better off getting influence by being an item on a TV show like E! Tonight or having Paris Hilton speak out ... in order to get LA residents to actually notice it?

[Dominique]

The LA Times has one of the larger circulations.

Can you recruit Paris Hilton for us? That would work like a charm! Paris playing poker....

[MichaelCorfman]

That would work like a charm! Paris playing poker....

Good idea. Vin, can we get the reporters to call up Paris? I know it's dirty work, but someone has got to do it. There will be a bonus in your paycheck if you can get her to play in the GPWA vs PAW freeroll on the 15th.

Michael

[vinism]

Hmmm....I wonder if she's still frequents the Palms....

Vin

[onestopgamblingguide]

Thanks for posting the article Dominique!

GL recruiting Paris Vin rofl.....