Rumored Online Casino Deal Between US and Antigua Unlikely

The leader of Antigua’s opposition party claimed this week that the government had arranged a settlement to its dispute with the US over online casino gambling, but officials say there is no deal. Finance Minister Harold Lovell released a statement denying the veracity of an agreement to end the years-old conflict, which had been mentioned by Labor Party Chairman Gaston Browne in a radio interview.

Lovell’s quick response came as the details released by Browne caused consternation and shock in the Antigua gaming industry. Browne said the pursuit of hundreds of millions of dollars in damages owed by the US to Antigua for US protectionist policies against Internet gambling operators could end in one small payment of $10 million by the US, in exchange for which Antigua would outlaw online gaming hosted from its territories.

Considering the unsettled award in Antigua’s favor by the World Trade Organization for $21 million annually, the suggested settlement seems a disaster. Not only would Antigua be negotiating away most of what was awarded it, but the current economic impact of online gambling would be forfeit, leaving hundreds jobless and many Antiguan enterprises out of business.

Still, despite Lovell’s dismissal, there is reason to worry that Browne may have some accurate information in his report. Lovell admitted recent meetings with US officials to try to resolve the dispute by year’s end.

“We have not accepted any offers that have been put on the table,” Lovell said in a weakly worded denial.