Antigua WTO Press Release-US action contrary to purpose of GATS

[MiltonFriedman]

"When they indict BOS the US claims $4.5 billion in revenue. Antigua knows the value of the industry."

Jay, you should know the effective tax revenue to Antigua from the gaming industry ..... $0, whether EC or USD. Gaming companies do NOT pay income tax to Antigua.

Gaming companies pay an annual license fee.

The direct revenue value to Antigua of the gaming industry is $1 less than what a competing jurisdiction would offer.

The indirect value of employment taxes is similarly close to zero.

It is suprising you think that tourism and imports have nothing to do with the Antigua economic future and planning.
The Antiguan economy does get value in employment, but it could easily be replaced by other industries' call centers operations. Thee are only 60,000 Antiguans.

If a couple of big US companies were to invest in a call center or 2 or 3, there goes that "unique" contribution of gaming.

Similarly, if there were development funding for tourism or financial services jobs, why wouldn't the Antiguans cash in their WTO chips and go "legit".

(Jay Cohen, you probably should have a good feel for what Stanford's role in Antigua has been.)