Antigua Wins Again

The WTO has handed down another comprehensive defeat for U.S. efforts to ban online gambling. A panel of three trade judges ruled that the nation of Antigua had only strengthened its case since it won a 2005 complaint against U.S. anti-gambling laws.

If, as expected, the U.S. ignores the ruling, Antigua will be permitted to retaliate. And the tiny island nation has been floating the delicious prospect of retaliating by turning itself into a haven for copyright pirates. Which would set the stage for a steel-cage showdown between the entertainment and software industries and the anti-gambling prudes in Congress and the Justice Department.

Thanks to Sallie James for the tip.