WTO Gives U.S. Deadline On Desision

The World Trade Organization has given the United States until April 3 to comply with their decision earlier this year (April 7) to stop discriminating against foreign gaming sites.

Representatives for the office of US trade said the while they would comply, legislation resulting from the ruling would not necessarily make it easier for offshore operators to legally serve US customers, and in fact might make it more difficult for them from a legal perspective.

�It is the position of the U.S. Justice Department that Internet gambling is illegal,� said trade representative attorney Bruce Hirsh.

While the WTO decision was seen by many as a possible lean towards US legalization and regulation of the industry, it was ruled that the United States could legally put restraints on foreign gaming sites in the interest of public morals, provided those restraints do not specifically discriminate against foreign businesses.