In light of the lack of movement regarding the dispute in the World Trade Organisation over online gambling bans between the governments of Antigua and the United States, this week the Antiguans issued another warning at the WTO Dispute Settlement Body's March gathering.
Delivered through the delegate for fellow Caribbean nation Dominica, the statement of warning from Antigua told the Dispute Settlement Body: "Antigua and Barbuda have not seen any substantial progress on the part of the U.S. to comply with the DSB's recommendations and rulings nor to reach a settlement with Antigua and Barbuda."
However, the statement continues, the country wishes to appeal to the United States to "...make one last effort at resolving the matter and avoiding unpredictable consequences," warning that the measures would be unprecedented.
What this means is that Antigua will go through with its threats to impose the compensatory measures granted by the WTO on January 28, 2013, which include the sale of US-copyrighted items up to a limit of $21 million a year without the payment of rights usage.
Therefore, the United States should try hard to move towards a mutually beneficial solution, especially having in mind the WTO’s constant support to Antigua and Barbuda's argument that United States' legislation prohibiting the provision of overseas online gambling services is in contravention with the nation's commitments under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
