US Concedes Defeat in WTO Online Gambling Case

The US has conceded defeat by declining to appeal Antigua’s victory at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has announced they are withdrawing their treaty obligations with respect to gambling and betting services.

Article’s emerged online this week reporting that the European Union, Brazil, and India delegations have thrown their support behind the Antiguan delegation in their WTO online gambling action against the US.

Antigua’s Ambassador to the WTO, Dr. John W. Ashe, delivered a statement to the WTO membership this week, stating the US tactic of simply changing their commitments was not going to work: “There is something clearly wrong with the concept that after a long, difficult struggle covering years of dispute resolution at the WTO an offending member could ultimately avoid the consequences of its loss by withdrawing the commitment that gave rise to the claim in the first place.  As far as we are concerned, our dispute has been resolved and the United States remains obligated to comply.”

The Brazilian delegation declared its full support of the Antiguan position, pointing out that the actions of the US in this case can threaten the integrity of the entire dispute resolution system.  India had similar concerns, and the EU was disappointed that the US had failed to engage Antigua over the provision of gambling services.

The WTO decision means all WTO members who consider themselves adversely affected by the US withdrawal can file claims against the US.  Under WTO rules, any member can file a claim for damages against the US, all of which must either be resolved by negotiation or arbitration before the US can actually withdraw their commitment.  These claims can potentially run into billions of dollars, and may result in unrelated US producers being unfairly sanctioned by being hit with trade barriers from economic giants such as the European Union.  Furthermore, China and other countries may take advantage of the United States’ embarrassing withdrawal in future WTO cases by choosing to ignore WTO rulings just like the US has done by simply altering their stated commitments.

“While we will not know until the filing deadline in mid-June,” said Mark Mendel, Antigua’s legal advisor in the case.  “We have heard rumblings that substantial trading partners such as the EU are seriously considering filing claims for compensatory adjustments.  The potential adverse impact upon completely unrelated American business interests could be massive.”

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Lets all support Barney Frank’s new Gambling Legislation

A national scheme has been launched in the US to reinforce new legislation introduced by Congressman Barney Frank, that sets out to license and monitor the online gambling industry, in a backlash against 2006’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

‘The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative’ aims to highlight the importance of a regulated framework that will allow US players to continue to enjoy gaming in the comfort of their own homes.  This is in direct contrast to the restrictive nature of the current UIGEA, which makes it illegal for banking facilities to accept money transfers to and from online gambling sites and has essentially halted access to online gambling in America.

The Initiative also hopes to drum up online support for the bill from voters across the country.  Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Initiative said “Millions of Americans are currently gambling online in an unregulated environment without any consumer protections”.

“Internet gambling is a matter of personal choice” she continued“, and many Americans see the current prohibition as an unnecessary intrusion into their private life.  Stringent licensing and regulations will protect American consumers and provide safeguards to protect against underage and compulsive gambling.  Representative Frank’s bill is a big step in the right direction to limit government intervention that is futile and heavy handed”.

Without doubt the many honest online gambling operators, who have been stopped from offering safe and harmless online gaming to Americans, and would not object to being regulated, could not agree more with that statement.

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Children get new bikes courtesy of Bingo Entertainment

Starlight Bingo, part of the greatest online bingo network; Bingo Entertainment N.V. saw another progressive jackpot winner on 21st May.

There is always excitement and joy when a jackpot is won on Bingo Entertainment, but sometimes there is a more emotional feeling when a player wins. Such was the case when the player known as vilikke hit the progressive jackpot whilst playing at Starlight Bingo. 

Vilikke from Torrevieja Spain had recently been a victim of crime when her children’s bikes were stolen.  She won a $ 2,101.95 progressive jackpot. Here’s what she had to say when interviewed;

Q. How long have you been playing at Starlight Bingo?
A. I have been playing at starlight about 1 year now.

Q.  How did it feel when you realised you’d hit the bingo progressive jackpot?
A. Good question. lol I couldn’t believe it, I was working and forgot all about my job. lol
gave me some catching up to do lmao!

Q. What do you like most about playing online?
A. I like being in chat and talking to the hosts and the players.

Q.  Do you have regular times to play?
A. No, I pop in whenever I feel I’ve got time, or I’m on auto if not… lol usually not playing when I’m sleeping.
 
Q.  What do you intend to do with your winnings?
A. I am probably gonna buy kids a new bike after they got stolen about 1 month ago, and then make the fence higher!

Q. What message would you give to other players on Starlight Bingo who dream of hitting a jackpot?
A. Gooood luck every 1, it is possible…. and I hope yall will have this experience at least 1 time.

Q. Will you continue to play at Starlight Bingo?
A. Well of course, its my home, and I ain’t moving

A heartwarming story. Congratulations to Vilikke from all at Bingo Entertainment, and may the children have much fun on their new bikes.

Utah Indicts Online Gambling Payment Processors

On Friday 11th May, the U.S. attorney for Utah announced charges against various individuals and companies involved in the processing of payments for online gambling operations.

The seven defendants are accused of creating three companies to conduct fraudulent credit card and wire transfers for their clients, for online gaming sites based outside the U.S, the indictment said.

One company, named as CurrenC and CurrenC Worldwide, based in other countries including Korea, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom, processed most of the credit card and wire transfers. But two other companies, Hill Financial Services and Gateway Technologies, based in Utah, are accused of providing accounting and technical services for the illegal business and were used to track transactions, claimed Attorney Brett Tolman.

AThe defendants live in Las Vegas, but two of the companies involved were based in Draper, a Salt Lake City suburb, according to the indictment.

The news came as a shock, especially to think that anyone would process payments for online gambling operators in a state that does not even have a lottery.

None of the companies mentioned in the complaint were using the processors in question following the passage of the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) last October. In fact, one of the companies named, BetonSports, was shut down nearly a year ago.

At a news conference, U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said “We now have a body of information technology and strategy that can cross many jurisdictions”.

He added “The investigation is ongoing to determine if employees at the Utah businesses were aware they were involved in criminal activity, and therefore could also face charges”.

The 34-count indictment includes charges of racketeering conspiracy, bank fraud, transmission of wagers and money laundering. It also claims that banks issuing Visa and MasterCard credit cards were fooled into processing Internet gambling charges. Defendants also channeled Western Union wire transfers through the Philippines.

“There are layers of facade that have to be pulled back and uncovered,” Tolman said.

The indictment seeks to recover $150 million from the defendants as well as real estate, vehicles and other assets under RICO, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law.

None of the defendants is in custody, but all are scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City on 30th May.

Tolman said “The government is not seeking their detention pending the hearing because they are not considered flight risks or threats to the community”.

Utah has made it clear that they believe all forms of gambling should be illegal, as opposed to Arizona Senator Jon Kyl who believes it is ok to gamble, but only if betting on horses.

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NETELLER Announces New Prepaid Cards for Europe and Asia Pacific

Neteller website recently posted the following press release;

Thursday, 3 May 2007 –NETELLER Plc (LSE: NLR), the independent global online payments business, today announced the first product in a new suite of prepaid, reloadable debit and remittance cards for its customers in Europe and Asia Pacific.

The first of these products, a new prepaid card, is tied to a customer’s NETELLER e-wallet account, and can be used at over 24 million ATMs and Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals worldwide.

“The ability for our customers to access and use funds from their e-wallets at over 24 million online and offline outlets worldwide is very important to both them and us.” said Ron Martin, NETELLER President and CEO. “As we continue to grow our business in Europe and Asia Pacific, we believe this new prepaid debit programme will allow us to open up new areas of business.”

The new prepaid card replaces the existing NETELLER Card. The new card will offer customers more flexibility and significantly lower pricing than the previous card. Importantly the new card will be available in multiple currencies and is tied to the customer’s e-wallet account, saving the consumer foreign exchange fees. The Group expects the new prepaid card to be available to customers by the end of May 2007.

The existing NETELLER Card is being withdrawn on 3 May 2007, as previously communicated to customers and merchants, in accordance with a notification very recently received by NETELLER from the third-party card provider. Canadian customers can continue to use their existing NETELLER Card but only on the Interac network and only in Canada.

Additional information and pricing on the new prepaid cards may be found on the Group’s website.

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