In a battle of truly epic proportions the little Caribbean country of Antigua & Barbuda has taken the online fight to the world's major power, the United States of America, and practically licked them!

The government of Antigua & Barbuda, which licences online gambling, decided to take on the might of the American Government last year when America prohibited online betting for its citizens whether at home or abroad. This affected Americans holidaying or living on the tiny Caribbean country, in clear contravention of the World Trade Organization's General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATT).

Last year, little A&B decided to take the case to the WTO, arguing that such restrictions on online gambling were unfair as they damaged the country's economy. Under the trade disputes resolution procedures, both countries agreed to settle their differences through the arbitration process, which found in favour of Antigua & Barbuda in March this year. At this point, both sides settled down to reach a negotiated settlement agreement.

Doctor Errol Court, the country's Finance Minister has declared after four months of negotiations: "We held five face-to-face meetings with various branches of the US government, but ultimately we concluded that the elements necessary for an amicable resolution would not be forthcoming at this time from the United States.” Adding that he believed that the opportunities to reach a bilateral agreement have disappeared.

In accordance with the WTO's regulations, Antigua & Barbuda can now make the report on the dispute public, and have already given the statutory 10 days' notice to the US Government of their intentions. The action leading to the publication of the WTO report is sure to open a can of online worms for the American government. Other jurisdictions will take the victory of this 21st Century David as a sign of encouragement to take on a government with dinosaur reflexes and attitudes, at a time when the web is no longer a closed net that can be controlled through blind dogma.

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