United States of Anachronism

The ban on online gambling may keep Antigua-based sites out of the United States. But as long as the two countries keep any sort of relations - it is obvious that they will - the issue will not be forgotten.

Antigua is determined to alter the status quo. It is pursuing the US at international organizations. Most significant is the pending case being discussed at the World Trade Organization, which threatens to penalize and fine the US government for unfairly blocking Antiguan, and other, sites.

But as 10 members of Congress visit Antigua for an annual Caribbean business conference, the host government plans on raising the hot issue. The delegation is made of 10 Democratic members of Congress, including Reps. Charles Rangel of New York, Maxine Waters of California and Danny Davis of Illinois.

The conference that begins today (Thursday) might turn out to be a platform for change, which can only come in open discussions. Meeting face to face, at the conference, in private meetings and in organized events such as a planned tour of the country's Financial Services Regulatory Commission will be such opportunities.

The Caribbean nation plans on hosting the US lawmakers at several Internet companies as well.

The aim of the visits, tours and meetings is one and the same: to prove that the "we do have the capacity to adequately regulate these gaming operations," said Antigua's Finance Minister, Dr. Errol Cort.

The existing law has been in place for over a year. It is believed to have casued the Caribbean country and others around the world damages of millions and even billions of dollars, by barring American banks and credit card companies from processing online gambling payments.

Antigua has sued the US at the WTO for losses of $3.4 billion, which might be inflicted in the form of trade sanctions.

The 12th Annual Caribbean Multinational Business Conference is directly related to the issue, as it is to discuss and promote bilateral business investment between the two countries.

The ban, here contested, was also the focus of a decision by the Administrative Court of Appeal in Hessen state, Germany this week. The court has overturned a ruling by a lower court, now allowing Austrian online gambling operator Bwin to provide services to German customers.

The reasoning that led the court to the decision was mainly that enforcing such a ban is practically impossible.

With this ruling, Germany is making a step towards the prevalent policy across the European Union and the entire world according to trade laws and with careful concern of issues such as moral and criminal implications.

Left behind is France, which is in a similar process, currently pursuing online gambling companies while defending its state-run monopolies, but believed to be moving closer to the fold of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and EU law.

Oh, left behind is also the US. Time proves the market is becoming more liberal and regulated at once. Time is also one thing that seems yet to have affected the US. Its approach is of yesteryear. A trip to Antigua this time of year might do it well.