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In opposition to the American ban on Online Gambling, the European Commission released the ‘Trade Barrier Regulation Report’ last month. The report described the detrimental effect that the ban, although only in place in America, has had on European gambling. They have also announced that they will be talking their case to the World Trade Organization if they do not resolve the dispute soon.

To avoid any legal trouble, US Trade Representatives have met with EU Trade Commissioners to discuss the issue, as neither side wants to involve the WTO. A hearing could potentially award a few billion dollars to the EU as compensation, and the US is fully aware of this; previous hearings have not often gone in favour of the United States.

he EU is also speaking to President Obama’s administration, believing that the Democrats will be open to making changes to the new law. Bush’s Republican administration pushed the ban, as part of the former president’s desire to appeal Christian voters in the Southern United States. So, the EU is hoping the new Democratic administration will have a different perspective.

The US ban has recently shut out such European online casinos such as PartyGaming and Sportingbet from their $4 billion market. This move has caused many European gambling companies a great loss in profits and a decrease in stock market value. However, US casinos are allowed to operate in Europe. Companies like the Las Vegas Sands casino even offer free online gambling to European customers.