RGA Claims Discrimination From The U.S. in Complaint with EU

The Remote Gambling Association filed a complaint with the European Union this week arguing that the United States discriminated against them "based on violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules."  The online organization is one of the biggest in the world and the company's recent filing against the U.S. could once again bring up major issues concerning the legality of online gambling in America.

 

The complaint, which was filed under the Trade Barriers Regulation provision of the WTO rules, calls for an investigation into the claims by the RGA against the United States.  If discriminatory actions are found, it's possible that the EU could pursue negotiations with the U.S. to end any said discrimination.

 

Whether that means it could actually do something about possibly lifting the gambling restrictions in the United States sometime down the road is sort of unclear.  As of right now, it's simply a complaint that will have to be reviewed by the EU. 

 

It may be difficult for the RGA to gain any ground with the filing, considering the U.S. just recently revised a WTO provision that would give the EU "no right to seek WTO assistance for this issue [removing online gambling from WTO rule industries]." 

 

RGA Members include online poker powerhouses PartyGaming, 888, Ladbrokes, and Victor Chandler among others.