TMCnet News
Press Briefing on Discriminatory US Practices Against European Online Gambling Operators(Market Wire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) NEW YORK, NY, January 23 / MARKET WIRE/ -- In December 2007, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) announced the filing of a formal complaint against the United States (US) for discrimination based on violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The complaint, under the EU's Trade Barriers Regulation, asserts that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is in violation of international trade law by threatening and pressing criminal prosecutions, forfeitures and other enforcement actions against foreign online gaming operators while allowing domestic US online gaming operators to flourish. If the European Commission opens an investigation, as is expected, another WTO dispute resolution procedure could follow, similar to the recent case which ended with a victory for Antigua over the US. A media briefing on the background and latest developments related to the complaint, and on what it means for the World Trade Organization (WTO) and for industries in the United States and in Europe, is to be held on Monday, 28 January 2008, 11:30 a.m., in room 'Jean Rey III,' Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Boulevard Charlemagne 11-19, in Brussels. Participating in the briefing will be: -- Lode van den Hende, Herbert Smith LLP, trade expert representing the RGA. -- Joseph H. H. Weiler, Professor of Law, New York University -- Jonathan Cohen, President, The Weiser Group, New York. The panel will address other internet gambling-related issues -- such as the ongoing WTO article 21 arbitration cases, for which the deadline is 28 January 2008. We would be grateful if you could confirm your presence at the briefing. About the Remote Gambling Association The RGA is a leading trade association based in London that represents dozens of European online gaming operators, including most of the world's largest, licensed, and stock market-listed remote gambling companies. The RGA provides the industry with a single voice on all the issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and key decision makers around the world. For more information, please visit www.rga.eu.com. Media contact Jonathan Cohen (New York) 646-254-6000, ext 12Email Contact Michael Thaidigsmann (Brussels) Tel. +32 2 552 09 24 Mob. +32 485 86 95 84Email Contact Copyright ? 2008 Market Wire, Incorporated |