Antigua issues final warning to US over online gambling stance

Antigua has warned the US it will allow free distribution of US films and TV to its citizens in an effort to collect a debt owed over the US’ online horse racing betting stance.

According to a statement filed by the nation’s WTO representative, Antigua will start the program of media distribution if the US does not pay a settlement in excess of $100m by the end of 2016.

The action stems from a 12 year old ruling by the World Trade Organisation against the US’ practice of allowing interstate online horseracing betting while simultaneously blocking Antigua-licensed firms from offering the same service.

Following the ruling, the WTO ordered the US to pay $21m per year until it rectified the situation but the US has long ignored the ruling, accruing a debt of more than $250m.

Antigua offered to accept a settlement of around half of this recently, which the US again ignored.

Now, the Caribbean nation says it would be “compelled” to launch a royalty-free download site by the end of the year, as suggested by the WTO.

Antigua’s representative said in the filing to the WTO that the country continued to hope “that a sense of right will prevail” during the last-ditch negotiations with US trade representatives.