[Jay Cohen]

[ QUOTE ]
you forgot option number 4: Negotiate a limited agreement, perhaps allowing poker / card games only and regulate them as other 'SKILL' card games are already.

see worldwinner.com, AOL Games, MSN Games & YAHOO! Games for cash based 'SKILL' card games.

This seems a likely outcome if any real negotiated deal is made.

obg


[/ QUOTE ]

I really don't think that's on the table. You seem to be hooked on this "skill" games concept because that's what you enjoy and that's what you think would be the most palatable to Congress. But that's not where Antigua's interests are.

I can't think of one major poker site that is licensed in Antigua or employs people in Antigua. Antigua's online gaming community is made up of sportsbooks and casinos. They are the ones who have supported the country's efforts for the past four years, not poker companies from far away lands.

If the decision means anything, why would Antigua negotiate away their primary business? They won the case for full access, they are in the driver's seat.

Now if you want to say the US doesn't care what the WTO says, then why would the US do anything? Either the decision means something or it doesn't.

I am hopeful that there will be a negotiated settlement. But it's not going to be about giving in to the US's artificial distinctions between types of gaming. Sports, poker, and blackjack all involve an element of skill and an element of luck. We can argue all night the percentages of each.

If it's about skill, then let me know when the US is eliminating scratchers and slots. I can't figure out the skill required for either of those games.