News Releases

No. 128/07
December 17, 2007

EU AND US AGREE ON COMPENSATION IN WTO FOR LOSS OF TRADE OPPORTUNITIES IN US GAMBLING SECTOR

The European Union and United States agreed on a compensation package to be offered by the US in response to its withdrawal in the WTO (World Trade Organization) of GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) commitments on gambling and betting services, including online gambling. A bilateral agreement was signed in Geneva, which provides EU service suppliers with new trade opportunities in the US postal and courier, research and development, storage and warehouse sectors. The US also made concessions in the testing and analysis services sector. The European Union will continue to press for non-discriminatory treatment in US internet gambling legislation.

The bilateral agreement follows negotiations initiated by the US on May 8, 2007, when the US announced its intention to withdraw its WTO commitments on gambling and betting services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The GATS allows members to modify or withdraw commitments, provided that they negotiate offsetting compensation so that the overall level of its market access remains the same. The EU sought compensation to make up for the loss of trading opportunities in the US gambling sector, including the US internet gambling market.

Upon certification of the agreement by the WTO, gambling services will no longer be covered by the US's WTO commitments. The European Commission however will seek a non-discriminatory policy towards internet gambling in the US. "While the US is free to decide how best to respond to legitimate public policy concerns relating to internet gambling, discrimination against EU or other foreign companies should be avoided," said Peter Power (left), EU Spokesman for Trade. EU Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson (right) pressed the European Commission's concerns recently in a meeting with US Congressman Barney Frank, and subsequently in a letter to him.

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