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EU Official: U.S. Internet Users Should Be Free To Bet

November 9, 2007

EU (European Union) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is in Washington D.C. with an agenda on his mind.

An agenda that contrary to a U.S. law, seeks the U.S. allowing its Internet users to do gaming on European-based gaming sites..

"What we need to see is a change in U.S. legislation that removes that discrimination against EU operators," Mandelson told reporters yesterday. ."It's not in the interest of American consumers to have good responsible competitors in this market excluded by regulatory mechanisms."

Not only is Mandelson arguing his case based on fairness,but with the view that the U.S. policy prohibiting this gaming is a violation of the WTO treaty that the U.S. is a signatory to.

When a member of the WTO defaults on its commitments, compensation is due. That's the case of online gambling," Mandelson said.

"We're in talks about the magnitude of that compensation. I think what we're asking for is reasonable and realistic. The numbers aren't quite as large as has been advertised, but they need to be substantial."

Talks were scheduled yesterday with Mandelson said he would talk on Thursday with Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. Frank has advocated rolling back the online gambling ban.

"I think he takes a fair-minded, a common sense, approach to this and we look forward to that being effective legislation," Mandelson said

"We're not telling the United States how to regulate this industry. That's not for us to do. All we're saying is, however you choose to regulate, don't discriminate against non-American operators."




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