01-04-2005 Antigua anticipates favourable ruling

"We expect major internet search engines, including Google and Yahoo, financial institutions and credit card service providers will have to do business with Antiguan internet gaming sites on the same basis as they do with US domestic gaming interests, including hundreds of American casinos, prolific state lotteries and many others," said Mark Mendel, the lead legal counsel for Antigua in the dispute.

"Despite intense skepticism from virtually every quarter, our case is extremely strong and deceptively simple. We have long been optimistic that the impartial dispute resolution machinery of the WTO would function as expected, justice will be served and potential compliance issues facing various US corporations and the US Department of Justice will be resolved in a manner which is favorable to fair and responsible international commerce," added Mendel. 

"Most important will be the validation of Antiguan businesses' right to trade with the large US internet gaming market," explained Ron Maginley, spokesman for the Antigua Offshore Gaming Association, an industry trade group.

"This form of entertainment is widely recognized and accepted in many parts of the world, especially Europe. Antigua is confident in the professionalism of its operators and asks only for fair and reasonable access to the immense United States domestic gambling market," added Maginley.

The World Trade Organization's ruling will be announced on April 7.