Alleviating Antiguan Gambling Woes

It's no secret that the US has banned foreign online casinos, but Antigua is taking the US to task by appealing to the WTO for help. The Antiguans feel aggrieved by what they perceive as US intransigence in the matter. The loss of revenue is estimated at $21 million annually, which the island nation claims is the value of jobs, taxes and revenue lost by the online casino ban by the US.

Classified talks
Antiguan Finance Minister Dr. Errol Cort has appealed to the WTO. Those pleas seem to have resonated with the regulatory organization which finds the US in violation of free trade, among others. Calls to the US have largely been met with little or no response. This comes amidst growing concern that the impact of loss of online casino revenue is adversely affecting Antigua's economy.

Floating proposals
If the Salt Lake Tribune has it right, then the US is set to open a military base in Antigua and in so doing relieving itself of the debt it has incurred. The premise of such a move is such: US soldiers living in Antigua will request services that locals will provide. Such things include: cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, prostitution and others - not all of them exactly above board.

The national security issue has not been made public due to its sensitive nature but it appears the US is seeking to expunge itself of its obligations through this proposal. If the idea gains ground then jobs will be created in Antigua catering to the US military presence there. Among others, a black market industry is bound to thrive as young American soldiers party after hours with locals.

Purists are stunned at what they perceive as US duplicity. If the US is so anti-gambling and morally upright, then why would they knowingly create a situation that fosters such conduct on Antiguan soil? The policy may well work in Antigua but the EU has similar complaints pending and they are unlikely to opt for more US military bases in their backyards.