Centre for new Europe to spotlight WTO row - Online Bingo News

All eyes next week will be on the outcome of a debate on the issue of the current World Trade Organization (WTO) Internet gambling row that is fast becoming the source of a major trade war between the European Union and the US.

A forum sponsored by the Centre for the New Europe, a Brussels-based policy think tank, will be focusing on the WTO issue in which the US has decided to try and opt out of its WTO commitments in order to preserve its anti-Internet gambling UIGEA law.

The WTO spat has some serious implications, especially since the US may be hit up for as much as $100 billion in trade concessions to the EU. At the centre of the row is the issue of the US imposing illegal trade restrictions on foreign internet gambling operators.  This has hit the online bingo industry especially hard with many online bingo halls and operators of free bingo online games having suffered substantial losses due to the implementation of UIGEA.

"This is by far the most significant WTO case ever and its implications for both the US and the EU are enormous," said Nao Matsukata, a former Bush Administration trade official who will be speaking at the forum. "This is also a watershed moment for the WTO because a major world power is thumbing its nose at the institution and disregarding its obligations."

Written by John Witherspoon – How about playing bingo online? The best free online bingo games are just one click away.