From Deseret News archives:

Is gambling Utah-bound?

A WTO ruling could result in Net gaming — or more

Published: Friday, March 25, 2005 8:18 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
WASHINGTON — Utah politicos have long been proud of the fact the state has no legal gambling of any kind — one of only two states in the country that can say so.

But those days could come to an end. A ruling in a legal dispute between the United States and the tiny island nation of Antigua could ultimately result in legalized Internet gambling in the Beehive State.

Racetracks and even casinos would likely not be far behind if the decision, expected in the next two weeks by the World Trade Organization, goes against the United States and if gaming companies decide to push the limits of free-trade agreements.

The state could do little, if anything, to stop them.

"That is a possibility," said Robert Stumberg, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, "unless the United States renegotiates its present trade commitments on recreation and gambling services."

Antigua, which has replaced its sugar and banana economy with Internet gambling targeted primarily at Americans, complained to the WTO that the Americans were violating a 1993 trade agreement when the United States tried to stop Antigua from offering Internet gambling to American citizens. The trade agreement, signed by the United States, involved cross-border supply of gambling and betting services.

Story continues below
A WTO dispute panel ruled this past November that the United States was in violation of its international trade obligations. In other words, Antigua can't be stopped by the United States.

The WTO decision, in general terms, means that laws used by particular states to limit or forbid gambling are considered by the dispute panel as a violation of "market access" principles of the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

The U.S. appealed, and a ruling is expected by April 7.

"In trade-speak, Utah's prohibition amounts to the use of a zero-quota on the supply of Internet gambling services, and that's a violation of market access," said Peter Riggs, director of the Forum on Democracy and Trade.

If the WTO rules that the United States is seen as having a made a commitment on gambling, Riggs said, another part of the GATS agreement indicates the United States also made commitments to a "commercial presence."

"It's that commercial presence category which would allow foreign gambling companies to argue that they have a right to establish casinos, " Riggs said.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Deseret Morning News graphic

previousnext

Latest comments

RSL's Rimando makes 3

So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!

mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...

Real Salt Lake advances to MLS Cup

Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...

I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...

financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...

This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...

Real Salt Lake advances to MLS Cup

I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...

BYU happy to escape with victory

What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...

Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...

This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

Advertisements
Advertisement