As reported by: CIO Today
The United States and Antigua both claimed to be winners Thursday after the World Trade Organization partly reversed an earlier ruling on US restrictions on cross-border gaming on the Internet.

A WTO appeals body accepted that prohibitions in some US states on cross-border gaming were valid and agreed with Washington's argument that some federal laws could "protect public morals or maintain public order."

The appeal had followed an earlier ruling by the WTO's disputes settlement body entirely favoring a complaint brought by the tiny Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda.

The decision on Thursday effectively allowed state laws in Louisiana, Massachusetts, South Dakota and Utah, reversing the previous negative ruling.

Acting US Trade Representative Peter Allgeier welcomed the decision, claiming a "win."

"US restrictions on Internet gambling can be maintained. This report essentially says that if we clarify US Internet gambling restrictions in certain ways we'll be fine," he told AFP.

But the Caribbean island also claimed in a statement that the decision was "a landmark victory for Antigua as the smallest WTO member to defeat the United States, the largest member."


Article By: CIO Today