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Bill Legalizing Internet Gambling Could Be Solution to WTO Problem, Panelist Says
A bill (H.R. 2046) introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, to legalize Internet gambling is a rather elegant solution to resolve the United State's stance on its World Trade Organization commitments, Brian Pomper of Parven, Pomper, Schuyler Inc. said Nov. 7.
After several negative rulings in the past few years by WTO dispute settlement panels, the United States decided this year to alter its WTO services schedule in order to exclude market access commitments on Internet gambling (32 ITD, 02/16/07) . However, the move has provoked criticism for setting a precedent that other WTO members could use to rescind negotiated commitments.
The Frank bill would allow individual states to determine the extent of gambling permitted; allow Internet gambling to occur on the same basis as domestic gambling, removing arguments that U.S. laws are discriminatory; put into place appropriate protections instead of driving Internet gambling into illegal channels, and raise monies that could fund Capitol Hill priorities, Pomper said (81 ITD, 04/27/07)......