Antigua and Barbuda's Ongoing Gambling Dispute with the US

For more than two decades, Antigua and Barbuda has been locked in a legal battle with the United States regarding its gambling regulations. The Caribbean nation claims that the US gambling laws are discriminatory and have negatively impacted its economy. In an effort to resolve the matter, Antigua and Barbuda won a case with the World Trade Organization, securing the right to receive a $21 million annual compensation.

However, despite the favorable ruling, the funds have not materialized, and Antigua and Barbuda is now urging the US government to intervene. The country remains open to an amicable resolution, but it requires the United States to engage in discussions to find a settlement.

The dispute dates back to 2003 when Antigua and Barbuda established an internet licensing regime for gambling companies to offset declining tourism revenue. This move eventually led to the country being excluded from the US market due to cross-border gambling and data transfer laws.

While the United States has expressed willingness to cooperate, it insists that efforts must be part of a genuine attempt to reach a resolution. Unfortunately, the issue has lingered without a clear solution, and Antigua and Barbuda's economy continues to suffer the consequences.

Antigua and Barbuda is now hoping to secure the $21 million annual payments it is owed, with the World Trade Organization potentially acting as a mediator. However, engaging in a trade war with the United States through trade sanctions would not benefit the Caribbean nation.

Instead, Antigua and Barbuda is calling on its larger neighbor to agree to the settlement, emphasizing the economic hardships it is facing due to restricted access to US markets. The disparity between what the United States can offer and what the Caribbean nation believes it deserves remains a significant hurdle in resolving this ongoing dispute.