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BETonSPORTS is a U.K. based publicly traded company, licensed in Antigua and operating out of Costa Rica. The idea that the United States Department of Justice may have jurisdiction on such solely international-based corporate framework is yet to be determined. Legal experts believe the DoJ’s Indictment violates the ruling issued by the World Trade Organization on the case filed by Antigua vs. the United States.
This case also reminded the entire gaming industry the urgency of finding an adequate representation at political level. Attempts to induce U.S. lawmakers to a more flexible approach to online gambling may no longer be left to the initiative of a handful of outspoken CEOs or the colorful yet harmless marketing challenges of Calvin Ayre, also in consideration that operators are extremely unlikely to continue their lobbying activity in the United States after Carruthers arrest.
The industry needs to gather around the same table and hire professionals of the caliber of Mark Mendel, lead attorney acting on Antigua ’ s behalf in the dispute against the U.S. the tiny Caribbean island brought to the WTO.
Efforts to move a House-passed measure through the Senate have run into opposition from lobbyists representing casino owners and horse- and dog-racing interests in recent days. Some Republican senators have broken ranks and placed "holds" on it, Reuters reported today. The bill is not among the priorities to wrap up before summer recess, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told reporters Tuesday.
"The House-passed bill is not going to pass the Senate," said one source who is knowledgeable about the legislation, Reuters also reported.
Strong opposition from lobbyists representing casino owners and horse and dog-racing interests has stopped the process like in all previous attempts to pass anti gambling legislations. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Az, is the outspoken supporter of the ban of internet gambling. All his previous attempts to pass anti gambling legislations have failed.
Failure of the latest attempt to pass the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act might open the doors to the approval of the more objective legislation sponsored by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., aimed to authorize an 18-month federal study of Internet gambling.
Originally published July 27 2006 – 08:45am EST - TheOnlineWire.com – All rights reserved
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