EU and US lawmakers join forces to seek internet gambling ban repeal
A number of Capitol Hill lawmakers have joined the European Union in calling for a rolling back of the legislation regarding online gambling in the US.
Earlier this week the EU’s trade chief, Peter Mandleson, told the European Parliament that compensating gaming operators and WTO members who have lost out due to the ban on internet gambling was the “wrong option”.
Mr Mandleson called for a rolling back of the legislation, with two House of Representatives Committee chairs now joining the campaign.
In a letter sent to President Bush, Barney Frank, the head of the House Financial Service Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, stated: “We are writing to express our interest in considering possible legislative solutions that might restore US compliance with the GATS agreement without renouncing any of our commitments under that agreement.”
Not only would the ban impact upon the domestic economy over the short-term, it could also affect the country’s credibility as a trading partner.